Ryan FowlerScores of Year 9 students from Birmingham experienced the high-tech future of farming at the LAMMA show, held at the NEC. Organised by NFU Education in collaboration with Agriconnect and sponsored by AGCO, the initiative aimed to inspire urban students to explore diverse career opportunities in agriculture.
The students participated in interactive workshops, a scavenger hunt, and demonstrations of advanced farming technology, all designed to highlight modern agricultural practices. The event, now in its second year of engaging with students, showcased the growing importance of engineering, science, and environmental management in farming.
NFU vice president Rachel Hallos emphasised the importance of engaging young people from urban backgrounds, saying, “By showcasing the innovation, technology, and dedication that underpin modern farming practices, we hope to bridge that gap and inspire the next generation to consider careers in agriculture.” She highlighted farming’s broad career opportunities and its essential role in food production and environmental care.
Agriconnect marketing manager Sophie Jackson-Holgate said, “LAMMA is a fantastic place for students from a non-ag background to come and learn about agriculture and the exciting career and learning opportunities available in the industry.”
AGCO’s aftersales training business development manager Ash Briggs underscored the need to encourage future agricultural engineers, saying, “Anything we can do to encourage the next generation of agricultural engineers is vital to the future success of our sector.”
