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Boosting mental resilience, tackling awkward conversations with the older generation and how to benefit from the range of grants on offer for farming businesses will be hot topics up for discussion at a Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø conference being held in Blackpool next month.

²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's ‘FG Live' events platform is pleased to announce it will deliver the new conference during the Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø' annual ‘DIY AGM', which has grown in popularity in recent years and last year attracted 7,500 young people.

FG Live will host a fast-paced seminar programme, with topics also including how to achieve the right balance with the Sustainable Farming Incentive, a vet's view of careers in agriculture and how to use social media to your advantage.

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Taking place at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, on May 4. For the full agenda and to register for your free place, CLICK HERE

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The agenda will also be taking a closer look at how to solve the generational conundrum of whether the days of working 60 hours a week be cast into history, or if this is still essential for managing our farms effectively.

The evolving topic of how we can modernise our thinking around people management and remain profitable will also feature in the day's content and Paul Harris, chief executive and founder of REAL Success, will outline his thoughts on why the current generation and next generation in farming need a revolution in thinking.

Georgina Lamb, senior partnerships manager at The Farming Community Network, who has joined forces with FG Live to organise the event, said: "The panel sessions will provide valuable and insightful opinions and experience on a range of topics relevant to the YFC, there is something for everyone and I have no doubt that conference attendees will feel better prepared and inspired on their journey in agriculture."

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²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian editor Olivia Midgley said: "FG has been a long standing supporter of Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and we traditionally attended the event when it was held by the National Federation of Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø' Clubs.

"When the AGM was cancelled in 2018 it left a huge void and we are delighted to be working with Yorkshire YFC member John Houseman who has made this ‘DIY' event the success it is today. Not only is the annual weekend an important social occasion and a chance for  those living in the countryside to get off farm, we hope our conference programme will leave members returning to their communities feeling informed and inspired."

DIY AGM - How it all began

Founder of the DIY AGM, John Houseman, has said he wants to put the ‘M' back in AGM as he teams up with ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian for the 2024 event.

The Yorkshire YFC member said he began organising the first event in 2019 after reading about NFYFC's decision to cancel its AGM on the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian website.

"I was sat in the tractor and I was not very happy about. I set up an event page on Facebook and within a couple of hours, thousands of people has registered their interest," he said.

"We gauged the interest of us doing it ourselves and 2019 was the first DIY AGM and it snowballed from there.

"The main aim of the event is to keep an annual event going that has Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø from all over the country that can come and enjoy a weekend together. Enjoy a bit of time off, meet new people have good fun. 

"There are few industries that work as isolated and in tight family structures so this gives members a much-needed break from the pressure cooker of living and working with the same people." 

Since 2019 the event has raised almost £20,000 from polo shirt and ticket sales for national charities and those local to Blackpool.

"We are looking forward to putting the ‘M' back in AGM and have some thought provoking sessions in the conference for young farmers to enjoy, similar to the traditional AGM structure," added Mr Houseman.

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