Young people interested in farming are being encouraged to join Ivybridge Young Farmers, with a new members evening taking place next week.

The club, which has supported young people since 1938, will welcome prospective members to the Westward Inn, Ivybridge, on Tuesday, November 10.

Chairman Jacob Frost (19) said the club’s been a godsend: “There's definitely a barrier to entry for people who aren't already in it and weren't born into it.

“Young Farmers really helped and gave me connections with people in the industry

“It's very hard to find a farmer who'd actually want to take you on because you never really just bump into them unless you're part of the farming community or start joining Young Farmers for instance.”

The event is a chance to meet new people aged between 12 and 28, improve life skills and raise money for charity.

Jacob explains how he got involved: “I saw it on social media initially and thought it looked good to farm, and then got into it and enjoyed it since.

“I quite like being outdoors, especially on a nice sunny day.

“I work in a dairy farm at the moment, so I do a lot of electric fencing and a bit of slurry tanking, bit of track to work so i'm normally outside.”

There are thought to be over 100 young people in the Ivybridge area most of whom come from farming backgrounds but both they and those new to farming are welcome to join

Jacob then described the club’s activities: “We do a lot of stock judging.

“We’ve just finished loads of lamb stock judging and we’ve got beef stock judging and we have competitions with other Young Farmers clubs.

“We also do a lot of fundraising and we’ve had a log chop which is where you chop it up for firewood and the money goes to charity.”

This year’s charities are Devon Air Ambulance and St Luke’s Hospice.

To contact the club e-mail: [email protected]