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Discovering that they were likely to be unemployable Future Farmers provides the following training:
mortified Stuart as she recognised the talent that Jobseeker readiness and workplace ethic
the boys had for farming and couldn’t bear to see it Exposure to practical commercial farming
wasted. “I saw in these young people a real passion Access to knowledge and information
and I could identify with them,” she said. Practical farming skills
Soft skill training
As Stuart was a dairy farmer and knew a lot of
other dairy farmers, she asked them to take on Future Farmers’ work creates value and makes an
these young people. She requested that they be integral contribution to the South African food supply
paid a minimum wage and that she would help with system through:
mentorship, which would be soft skill based. Supporting transformation by creating
opportunities for previously disadvantaged youth
The following year their friends phoned her, asking if Developing business partners since many of our
Stuart could help them as well. “Obviously I couldn’t farmers become involved in the agribusiness
say no and the year after that I got more calls. supply chain
Eventually I closed down my own dairy because Skills development and capacity building in many
there was so much work to do, that I couldn’t do agricultural sectors including secondary sector
both. It has been an incredible experience for me.” Share of best practices and innovative approaches
Future Farmers Foundation started after the first to farming
students were placed on farms in 2006 and the first The organisation’s operations are based on a simple
intern sent abroad in 2007, providing platforms from model:
which young men and women who love farming can Interviewing of applicants throughout the year
become successful commercial farm managers or Targeting of their particular passion
farmers. An apprenticeship system accommodates Work readiness programmes
school leavers who are unable to attend universities Diversification of skills to include drone pilot
but are passionate about farming and have an training, cheese making and more
excellent work ethic and attitude. Securing funding to enable the placement of
As agriculture has such a vast number of sectors, candidates through salary subsidies
Future Farmers really focuses on what each farmer Placement of candidates on suitable farming
loves doing which can be anything from vegetable operations
farming to poultry to rabbits or dairy. “If someone Assistance with employment contracts, CVs etc
wakes up every morning and does something that Secure funding for overseas internships. A rolling
they love, they are going to be successful – it’s hard fund from which interest free loans are made is
to fail,” explained Stuart. available and interns pay back using their earnings
during the internship. The funds are then used to
Candidates start on farms where they gain send the next intern. Although internships are on
experience, working their way from the bottom up hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, future
with promotions being earned as they develop a internships are planned
wide range of essential skills. After a minimum of Ongoing mentorship to any Future Farmers who
two years, those who have excelled in their work need it
apply for an overseas internship (grant funding is Assist interns with suitable employment on
provided by a range of sponsors). their return
www.futurefarmersfoundation.com 61
