Trouble approaching farmers to ask about jobs

[flowerpot]

We have had 2 on work experience from school, brothers about 3 years apart. They could both drive, as in they could drive a vehicle round a farm yard without crashing into anything. The second one has gone on to Ag College and we are having him on college work experience too and he worked during the summer. After practicing round the fields on an older tractor we lent him our brand new one for the tractor test. He also took his JCB test here.

Would agree with looking at the YFC, it is a way to make contacts.
Write a list of what you can do and see if there is any way to add to the list.
Turn up on time, be polite and accept orders, there is a reason why something is done that way which might not be immediately obvious to you.

 

[Fendt516profi]

@spin cycle

 

[Tim G]

I was in a similar position (worryingly, 25 years ago now) with no farming background but it being all I've ever wanted to do. I was accepted on a course at Writtle College on the basis that I needed a year working on a farm to gain experience. I wrote to every farmer in the yellow pages that I thought was within a sensible travelling distance, probably 25 to 30 of them. A handfull wrote back to say they did need/want anyone or already had a son or family doing the same. One farmer phoned, he didn't have a position but worked with Writtle in a small way and asked if I'd like to have a look round his farm, which I did. A few months later he called back to ask if I'd found anywhere (I hadn't, it was getting to within a few months of finishing school and I really didn't want to go the sixth form college which my parents were pushing me to do). He asked me back for another chat and offered me a job until I could start at writtle the following year. Long story short, I did 15mths there, plus holidays etc from college and when I graduated I went back to the same farmer and we even started a small partnership together on a separate farm.
I left 15 years after I first started there, perhaps not on the best of terms with each other, but I have always been grateful for that start I was given, and have tried to help a few others in a small way, we've had a couple of lads on Saturdays and girls too. Would like to do more but we are too small a farm really to offer anything fulltime. Whatever approach you make, do it well. A few have emailed us and to be honest, they really are terrible, clearly just looked on Google for farms, seen what we do which just so happens to be the perfect farm for them etc etc. You can see right through it.

A bit of advice to farmers too. My first employers wife was at the local farm women's club and talking to another local farmer's wife. They were of about the same age, the other and her husband having retired from farming and let the farmland out. She said to my employers wife 'It's okay for you, you've got Tim.' Their kids didn't want to take on the farm.
When I was told this I said they could have had Tim, I'd written to them too.......

 

[toquark]

I was in your position 20 years ago, mad keen but with no qualifications, experience or immediate family background. Having been brought up in the country, agriculture always interested me and its all I ever really wanted to do.

When I was 14 or 15, I wrote to immediate neighbours, mainly mixed beef, sheep and arable units and got some days here and there during harvest or at lambing but nothing particularly steady. It was a real struggle, the farming world can be an insular place at times and I think I was always viewed with a slightly skeptical eye because I hadn't been driving tractors since I was 5. I persevered though and convinced a local farmer who I had done some odd days for to give me a year's pre-college training. I did everything from arable to outdoor pigs to beef and a little bit of dairy work (it was part of a big enterprise) it was tremendous experience, where I learned loads. For someone with no background it also really boosted my confidence as well as competence. I went on to ag college and did an HND, but graduated in 2001 during FMD and work was scarce, so I went back to uni but switched slightly into forestry and did a degree in that. I still work in the forestry sector now but run a part time sheep enterprise along with my wife which scratches the agri itch which I've never been able to shake. I'll be forever grateful for the start I was given, and this is something I'm always keen to pass forward if possible.

My advice would be keep at it and don't be afraid to travel to other parts of the country if you're in wheat baron territory. Ag college is a must not least for the contacts you'll make and the fact they have ties with student-friendly farms. Good luck.

 

[JeepJeep]

I'd suggest selling yourself when advertising looking for work aswell... One liners will ve overlooked.

Detail any Experience etc you have or If no experience at least say you're keen to learn and what you're looking to do.

I had a youngun put on the yard with me... no experience but handy with building etc bit of a loose cannon with serious attitude.

I didn't like him full stop.

The attitude was nipped in the bud. Time went on and we got on great.. He learnt so much so fast.. taught him to shunt Coaches etc. Could go out leave him there on his own and he'd crack on and get the important things done or ask someone to help him.

I'd have him working for me tomorrow if I needed someone.

 

[kfpben]

Find somewhere to do lambing as a start.
Almost all jobs in a lambing shed are suitable for a 16 year old.

I like employing youngsters- they tend not to come with a load of preconceptions and hang ups, and they tend to be a bit cheaper than an older person!

If anyone is reading this is looking for a mixed livestock farm job starting 1st May in Hampshire let me know. My excellent 18 year old lad is moving on to a contractor for the silage season having done a successful year with me.

 

[Ali_Maxxum]

+1 college, +1 YFC. Absolutely would not be where I am today without the two. Knowledge, people skills and confidence obtained from both. Show willing, we all start with the crap jobs but we all work upwards.

 

[czechmate]

I'd suggest selling yourself when advertising looking for work aswell... One liners will ve overlooked.

Detail any Experience etc you have or If no experience at least say you're keen to learn and what you're looking to do.

I had a youngun put on the yard with me... no experience but handy with building etc bit of a loose cannon with serious attitude.

I didn't like him full stop.

The attitude was nipped in the bud. Time went on and we got on great.. He learnt so much so fast.. taught him to shunt Coaches etc. Could go out leave him there on his own and he'd crack on and get the important things done or ask someone to help him.

I'd have him working for me tomorrow if I needed someone.

What, in a “body parts” sort of a way?

He doesn’t come over as sounding THAT desperate to me.

 

[Kidds]

What, in a “body parts” sort of a way?

He doesn’t come over as sounding THAT desperate to me.

Looking For Work - Any jobs in Norfolk area?.

Hey, My name is Jamie and I’m 16 and based in Norfolk. I'm currently looking to start a career in Agriculture and learn and gain experience as I go. I'm looking for work on a farm in the Norfolk area and I'm able to work 15 Hours it can be more. I don't currently have much experience I've been...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

That isn't selling yourself, it pretty much guarantees you won't get a job.

 

[Tomr10]

Looking For Work - Any jobs in Norfolk area?.

Hey, My name is Jamie and I’m 16 and based in Norfolk. I'm currently looking to start a career in Agriculture and learn and gain experience as I go. I'm looking for work on a farm in the Norfolk area and I'm able to work 15 Hours it can be more. I don't currently have much experience I've been...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

That isn't selling yourself, it pretty much guarantees you won't get a job.

No easy way to sell yourself when your young and have previously not had to.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

well my uncles is the temp games keeper for langley abbey estate and every week i go help feed and work for him
and i just want any job in agriculture ive always been around it and i was brought up with it

Good for you and good luck. The industry is crying out for keen youngsters like you. Once you get your foot in the door you will be away and whoever takes you on will be lucky to have you.

 

[Chae1]

I thought exactly the same myself. Was going to post about it, but you beat me to it.

 

[Kidds]

No easy way to sell yourself when your young and have previously not had to.

Not pretending it is easy (at any age) but the first post on this thread showed intelligence and interest, that post on the jobs board shows absolutely nothing and that is after being given some very good tips on this thread. A little bit of thought and effort would increase your chances many times over. The Yosser Hughes approach won't work.

 

[JamieS]

Looking For Work - Any jobs in Norfolk area?.

Hey, My name is Jamie and I’m 16 and based in Norfolk. I'm currently looking to start a career in Agriculture and learn and gain experience as I go. I'm looking for work on a farm in the Norfolk area and I'm able to work 15 Hours it can be more. I don't currently have much experience I've been...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

That isn't selling yourself, it pretty much guarantees you won't get a job.

im really keen on getting one as ive lived in the country side my whole life but its just really hard when you havent had that much
experience

so its really hard

 

[JamieS]

Looking For Work - Any jobs in Norfolk area?.

Hey, My name is Jamie and I’m 16 and based in Norfolk. I'm currently looking to start a career in Agriculture and learn and gain experience as I go. I'm looking for work on a farm in the Norfolk area and I'm able to work 15 Hours it can be more. I don't currently have much experience I've been...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

That isn't selling yourself, it pretty much guarantees you won't get a job.

im really keen on getting one as ive always been interested in farming and its just super hard if you know what i mean as ive not had alot off experience

 

[JamieS]

Not pretending it is easy (at any age) but the first post on this thread showed intelligence and interest, that post on the jobs board shows absolutely nothing and that is after being given some very good tips on this thread. A little bit of thought and effort would increase your chances many times over. The Yosser Hughes approach won't work.

i am really interested but its getting really hard for me to get one

 

[Tim G]

Looking For Work - Any jobs in Norfolk area?.

Hey, My name is Jamie and I’m 16 and based in Norfolk. I'm currently looking to start a career in Agriculture and learn and gain experience as I go. I'm looking for work on a farm in the Norfolk area and I'm able to work 15 Hours it can be more. I don't currently have much experience I've been...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

That isn't selling yourself, it pretty much guarantees you won't get a job.

How about this.....

 

[bobk]

Here you are ,

Situation Vacant - Harvest worker / tractor driver, Kent

Tractor driver needed for cereal and onion harvest from July onwards Carting, mowing and cultivations will be part of the job. Long hours possible, good rate of pay for the right person. Based Canterbury Kent Temporary Accommodation may be possible

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[JeepJeep]

There's no doubt your keen. You're here!

One-Liners won't get you anywhere... Make a Hotmail email address for Jobs.

Then something along the lines of this... It's not the best but you'll get the idea and can tweak add change etc.

Hi,
My name is Jamie and I’m 16 and based in Norfolk. I'm currently looking to start a career in Agriculture and learn and gain experience as I go. I'm looking for work on a farm in “blah” area and I'm able to work “blah blah” Hours.
Whilst I don't currently have much experience I've been helping my Uncle who is a Gamekeeper at the Langley Abbey Estate and I've been helping feed and working for him.
I'm open to any kind of agricultural work, I've always been around it and I have been brought up with it and have now decided I would like to have a career in it.

I'm extremely keen and quick to learn. Any suggestions or advice is most welcome.

Please feel free to email me at “[email protected]”

 

[JeepJeep]

How about this..... View attachment 936515

Did Vamshi get the Job?