Saying Hi and asking for some advice 😊

[Galley91]

Hi Everybody just introducing myself on here. My names James I’m 32 and live just north of Norwich in Norfolk. I have no farming experience or background at all but willing to learn. I left school early and went straight in to contract flooring with my old man before setting up my own business. The reason for joining forum is for some advice and maybe even opportunities. I’ve been considering a change of career for a while and after 16 years of crawling round floors and being stuck indoors I’d love a new challenge. I’m not scared to get my hands dirty and I’ll always put in a days graft. I wondered if any farmers local to Norfolk have any opportunities at all even if it’s just the odd day here and there so I can start to get some experience. Thanks in advance.

James

 

[solo]

This may be of interest.

Apprenticeships in Agriculture, Construction & Horticulture

Apprenticeships in Agriculture, Construction and Horticulture are available with the Ben Burgess Group across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Rutland.

www.benburgess.co.uk

 

[Danllan]

Hi Everybody just introducing myself on here. My names James I’m 32 and live just north of Norwich in Norfolk. I have no farming experience or background at all but willing to learn. I left school early and went straight in to contract flooring with my old man before setting up my own business. The reason for joining forum is for some advice and maybe even opportunities. I’ve been considering a change of career for a while and after 16 years of crawling round floors and being stuck indoors I’d love a new challenge. I’m not scared to get my hands dirty and I’ll always put in a days graft. I wondered if any farmers local to Norfolk have any opportunities at all even if it’s just the odd day here and there so I can start to get some experience. Thanks in advance.

James

Would advise you to prepare a thick skin.

People will be a bit standoffish until they know you are pukka, this is because there are lots who are anti-farmer who try and get such positions. This will be particularly true if you are looking to work with livestock. Don't let that put you off, try and find a farmer via personal contacts so that your background etc. may be known about.

It can be very rewarding, spiritually speaking... don't expect to make a great deal of money. Good luck

 

[Fendt516profi]

@spin cycle

 

[Galley91]

This may be of interest.

Apprenticeships in Agriculture, Construction & Horticulture

Apprenticeships in Agriculture, Construction and Horticulture are available with the Ben Burgess Group across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Rutland.

www.benburgess.co.uk

Thank you. Will have a look at this

 

[Galley91]

Would advise you to prepare a thick skin.

People will be a bit standoffish until they know you are pukka, this is because there are lots who are anti-farmer who try and get such positions. This will be particularly true if you are looking to work with livestock. Don't let that put you off, try and find a farmer via personal contacts so that your background etc. may be known about.

It can be very rewarding, spiritually speaking... don't expect to make a great deal of money. Good luck

Hi mate thanks for the advice and taking the time to reply it’s much appreciated. I’ll take that on board about farmers being wary. It wasn’t something I’d thought about but it’s understandable. Perhaps best to introduce myself in person. Thanks again

 

[TripleSix]

Stick to flooring

 

[Galley91]

Stick to flooring

Thanks for reply mate.

 

[spin cycle]

@spin cycle

Stick to flooring

I'm a 'nurturing' type but a/I have an 'apprentice' and b/ I struggle to look after myself just now

keep on the forum....try norfolk smallholder Facebook events....perhaps go to some smallholder training days

pm me if you want a chat

 

[Galley91]

I'm a 'nurturing' type but a/I have an 'apprentice' and b/ I struggle to look after myself just now

keep on the forum....try norfolk smallholder Facebook events....perhaps go to some smallholder training days

pm me if you want a chat

Much appreciated @spin cycle thanks for your advice and for taking the time to respond. I’ll have a butchers at the events. I did ask about agriculture course at Easton college but turns out I’m too old the lady was helpful though and they do some adult courses there which may be useful and help make me slightly more employable. Thanks again mate. Have a good day.

James

 

[essexpete]

Stick to flooring

Not really helpful, even if in the long run you are right. Clearly the OP wants or needs a change of direction. Life is short.

 

[sjt01]

Hi Everybody just introducing myself on here. My names James I’m 32 and live just north of Norwich in Norfolk. I have no farming experience or background at all but willing to learn. I left school early and went straight in to contract flooring with my old man before setting up my own business. The reason for joining forum is for some advice and maybe even opportunities. I’ve been considering a change of career for a while and after 16 years of crawling round floors and being stuck indoors I’d love a new challenge. I’m not scared to get my hands dirty and I’ll always put in a days graft. I wondered if any farmers local to Norfolk have any opportunities at all even if it’s just the odd day here and there so I can start to get some experience. Thanks in advance.

James

Have you ever driven a tractor? If you have, then there might be opportunities when it comes to silage time.
There are very few jobs on this farm that can be done without a telehandler certificate, if you have one then many more opportunities will open up. Have a look here for courses https://ttae.traineast.co.uk/

 

[bluebell]

I wish id had more advice , worked for others when i was younger, but to tell the truth i was, and am quite shy, dont you have to admire people who have a very "out going", "can do", attitude to life and work? Good luck, to learn other "skills " such as welding is so invaluble, some of the very best people ive known did not have much of an education but wanted to learn, if you want to learn thats the real issue?

 

[PI Stsker]

I’d say easiest way to get hours and contacts, especially coming in to summer would be a season or two contracting. It’s not hard to run on a silage gang and driving tractors is easier now than it’s ever been. This way you’d have some agricultural experience and speak with plenty of farmers to decide if you want to go arable, livestock or stick contracting.

 

[Galley91]

Have you ever driven a tractor? If you have, then there might be opportunities when it comes to silage time.
There are very few jobs on this farm that can be done without a telehandler certificate, if you have one then many more opportunities will open up. Have a look here for courses https://ttae.traineast.co.uk/

Thanks mate appreciate the response. I have never driven a tractor to be honest I’m about as green as they come I’m afraid with no experience at all but always keen to learn and will definitely look at the courses in the link you sent. I noticed they do a tractor driving course also at a college local to me. Thanks again mate

 

[PI Stsker]

Thanks mate appreciate the response. I have never driven a tractor to be honest I’m about as green as they come I’m afraid with no experience at all but always keen to learn and will definitely look at the courses in the link you sent. I noticed they do a tractor driving course also at a college local to me. Thanks again mate

The real question isn’t have you driven a tractor, as they are getting easier and easier and near enough drive them self in the field now. It’s more a case of can you work computers and can you reverse a trailer, if you can do both you can drive a tractor imho

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Richard Long would break you in gently

 

[Suffolk Serf]

How about trying outdoor pigs? As long as you have a good attitude the rest can be taught and you could quite quickly have a decent amount of responsibility and good pay.

 

[Tarw Coch]

I’d say easiest way to get hours and contacts, especially coming in to summer would be a season or two contracting. It’s not hard to run on a silage gang and driving tractors is easier now than it’s ever been. This way you’d have some agricultural experience and speak with plenty of farmers to decide if you want to go arable, livestock or stick contracting.

I’m not so sure that tractors are easier than ever to drive nowadays. Physically they may well be and cab comfort is certainly the best it’s ever been with air seats and climate control and just about everything needing the minimum of fingertip effort to work.
But all the features and settings in modern tractors can certainly cause some head scratching, the tractors of about 20 years ago were probably as good as it gets for a balance of comfort and simplicity to operate

 

[Galley91]

Thanks for all the replies and for the advice. Some good suggestions for me to get the ball rolling. Have a good week lads and enjoy the BH weekend