South of England Farming Technical Forums
Our Farming Technical Forums address a variety of subjects in land-based industries with leading experts in their field and those with hands-on experience.
Forums are generally held online, two times a year, are free to attend and are available to book online.
Saturday 8th June 2024: 'Cultivating Trust Between Farming and the Public'
We discussed the likes of:
Experts from diverse backgrounds discussed bridging the gap between agricultural practices and public perception. Get involved in part of the movement towards fostering mutual understanding and trust.
Chaired by Mark Campbell
Our Speakers:
Leighton Snelgrove – Farm Manager & Chairman of SYFC
Kendra Hall – Nuffield Scholar
Peter Appleton – Dairy Farmer
Andrew Flake – Sheep & Arable Farmer
Aimee Snowden – Nuffield Scholar
About our Speakers
Leighton Snelgrove - Farm Manager
Leighton is a 24 year old Farm Manager on an organic farm rearing pedigree Sussex cattle. He also has his own flock of commercial sheep producing meat boxes for local customers, pubs, & restaurants. He prides himself in being able to produce in Sussex and provide succulent meat to the local community.
In his free time, he chairs Sussex Young Farmers and South East Young Farmers Clubs to encourage young people to get involved and learn more about farming and food. Leighton is also on various committees; Sussex Cattle Society, South of England Show Cattle Committee, Fletching Parish Council, Winter Prime Stock Fayre, and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Young Farmers Steering Group.
Leighton is passionate about the wellbeing of farmers, getting involved with the FCN (Farming Community Network) and speaking to college students and farmers about the challenges faced in the industry. He also contributed in the Vinnie Jones documentary, which he found raising money for highly rewarding.
Kendra Hall - Nuffield Scholar
Kendra Hall grew up in rural Indiana, USA, surrounded by corn and soybean fields. She attended Purdue University, where she received a BSc in Animal Sciences and MSc in Agricultural Communications.
Having moved to the UK in 2018, she now lives in south Wiltshire and works for Reverberate PR as a communications specialist. As a non-farmer who loves farming, Kendra is passionate about helping the British food and farming industry think strategically about communications and share its story with the wider population.
Aimee Snowden - Nuffield Scholar
Aimee hails from an irrigation farm in the Southern Riverina, NSW. On returning home to the family farm she created ‘the LEGO Farmer’ now part of Little BRICK Pastoral. Aimee has a passion for ag education and showcasing the array of careers available in our food and fibre industries.
Aimee holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management from CSU. She has worked on farm, in accounting and events, and directly in vocational education.
Aimee was named a 2023 Nuffield Australia Scholar, supported by AgriFutures Australia, to build on the research of previous Australian and international scholars looking at ag education and engagement models around the world driving immersive experiences.
Peter Appleton - Dairy Farmer
More information coming soon.
Andrew Flake - Sheep & Arable Farmer
Andrew Flake is a 5th generation farmer running 900 ewes, 70 pedigree Sussex cattle and 500 acres of arable over his 1000 acre family farm on the South Downs.
“Every year we open our gates to 20,000 people who visit our working farm during the lambing season with the hope of educating the public in all aspects of our farming enterprise.”
The farm also boasts multiple diversifications for which they deal with the public on a daily basis.
Previous Farming Technical Forums
Cultivating Trust Between Farming and the Public
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