James Fryer, Director of Farm and Grounds at SMB College Group, has been named Vice President of Leicestershire Young Farmers!
The VP post, which above all requires the holder to be a proactive figurehead in the local Agricultural and farming community, will require James to support the Young Farmers Club (YFC) by attending County Executive meetings, promoting their activities and events, sharing best practice expertise and skills, and supporting members in their roles.
James, who’s based at the college’s specialist land-based Brooksby Campus, said of his appointment ‘When I was asked if I would stand for VP I was honoured, and incredibly pleased that I could give something back to the club which has done so much over the years to support and bring out the best in everyone who joins, whether members are from a farming or non-farming background. Having become a member later on in life, I instantly regretted not joining YFC at a much younger age. I have tried to support and help Leicestershire and Rutland YFC throughout my teaching and management roles here at SMB College Group, working with them in various capacities and always supporting the yearly Rally. I’m very much looking forward to continuing this support and I am excited about my new role as VP.’
Emma Lovegrove, Leicestershire Young Farmers County Organiser, added ‘James is a real pillar of the Agricultural community in Leicestershire. He has been hugely supportive of Leicestershire Young Farmers throughout his Agricultural Education career and, through his former role as a Lecturer, has event taught many of our members the skills and knowledge they’ve needed to become professionals in the industry themselves! James has also been a fantastic support for our events, such as our recent Public Speaking competition, which we held at Brooksby and in which James was a judge, and our annual Rally, which is always so much fun. For all of these reasons and more, it was a no-brainer to invite James to be one of our VPs here at Leicestershire Young Farmers. We look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship with both James and SMB College Group’s Brooksby Campus.
SMB College Group is incredibly proud of it’s rich farming and land management heritage, having been an Agricultural college since the end of the Second World War in 1945. Today, the college offers a diverse array of Post-16 courses across the land-based industries, from Agriculture to Countryside & Environmental Management, to Equine and Animal Studies, and more.
Exciting developments have also been afoot on the 850-acre Brooksby Campus over the past few years, where the land-based team, along with their students, have been pioneering a range of sustainable land management initiatives, including extensive tree planting, a regenerative agriculture project, and active involvement in the River Wreake Catchment Nature Recovery Partnership.
If you’re interested in studying an Agriculture, Environmental Management or other Land-based qualification with SMB College Group, visit the college website to apply today or book onto a Brooksby Campus Open Day - Browse our subjects | SMB College Group.