YOUNG SHEEP farmers from across the UK have been selected as the latest participants in the National Sheep Association's Next Generation Ambassador programme.

Having undergone an interview process assessing each candidate's experience and ambition for their own sheep farming career, as well as the future of the wider sheep sector, the new cohort of 13 young Ambassadors will now begin a series of personal and career technical development sessions as part of the programme.

This year's intake come from all corners of the UK and have taken a variety of different routes into the sheep sector. Bringing together a varied group including first generation farmers taking their first steps on the sheep farming ladder and those with a long family history of sheep farming, the programme aims to enhance the young shepherds' knowledge and personal development and provides plentiful networking opportunities.

Scotland's two new contributions to the scheme are Karyn McArthur (28) of Aberdeenshire, and Perry Parkinson (27) of Dumfries and Galloway.

According to Karyn, varied interests and involvement within the sheep sector have made her open minded, recognising there is not a ‘one size fits all’ way of farming. With this in mind she applied to join the Ambassador programme to allow her to challenge herself to dive deeper into learning more about the wider sheep industry.

She currently splits her time between working for a sheep breeding company, assisting with her family’s flock of 800 Scottish Blackface and Scotch Mule ewes, and her own small flock of pedigree Bluefaced Leicesters. She also enjoys spending time training her team of sheepdogs.

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Karyn commented: “I can't wait to learn from a great network of sheep farmers that I hope to meet as part of the programme. I hope that the knowledge gained will push me in the right direction to further improve the success of my sheep enterprise.”

Perry, an employed shepherd at SRUC’s Barony campus in Dumfries and Galloway, revels in the opportunity to run 500 North of England and Scotch Mules in an environment that is open to trialling different ideas for the benefit of the system's sheep flock and the sector as a whole, whilst educating the next generation of sheep farmers.

He applied to become an Ambassador as he wanted to challenge himself, learn more and put himself in a position where he could hopefully help more young people to get in to farming.

He said: “I’m over the moon to be accepted and feel very privileged and honoured to be part of such an impressive group of young sheep farmers. I am looking forward to travelling across the UK to view other systems and as a new entrant myself hopefully showing other young people you don’t have to be from a farm to have a successful career in sheep farming.”

NSA Communications Officer, Katie James, who coordinates the Next Generation programme, said: “This year’s selection process has been one of our most competitive yet, making it extremely challenging to choose those that will now become part of this year’s group out of so many worthy candidates. It is a real credit to the industry to see such passion and enthusiasm shine through from the young individuals who apply, something we should be very proud of.

“We are now looking forward to bringing the group together for the first time. The programme, like so many activities, has been adversely affected during the past two years due to Covid-19 so we are hopeful this year will allow the programme to return with a renewed focus and 13 young sheep farmers that are brimming with enthusiasm to make the most of what the opportunity can deliver.”

The first of four NSA Next Generation Ambassador delivery sessions will take place in Gloucestershire next week when the group will be joined by some leading names from the UK sheep sector. More information on each of the young farmers selected to join the programme this year can be found online at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk