“My legacy is to keep going, be positive, and have a go at everything.”
A 23-year-old has been honoured with a special award for his tireless work for Beacon Young Farmers’ Club. A member of the club since he was just 12 years old, Stuart Brown said he was just a “just a quiet little lad” when he first joined.
He went on to hold leadership roles, including Junior Chair, Secretary, Programme Secretary, and Chair of his club which provides learning opportunities and social events. He currently serves as Treasurer and County Vice Chair of Beacon YFC.
Stuart was honoured with the Heart of YFC Award at the YFC Achiever Awards. The awards ceremony was held at The National Conference Centre in Birmingham on Saturday, November 8.
On winning the award, Stuart said: “I can’t believe it; there were so many good finalists shortlisted that I did not expect it to be me. I love supporting the members and encouraging the next generation.
“YFC has given me confidence, I was just a quiet little lad when I joined. My legacy is to keep going, be positive, and have a go at everything.
“I’d love to be County Chair of East Riding in the future as that’s where my home is. There is more to Young Farmers than just competing.
“It’s about being part of a community where young people work together to run a club the way they want. That’s what makes it special.”
Stuart’s leadership was especially vital during the post-COVID period when he steered the club through challenging times. His commitment to inclusivity inspired meaningful change across the Federation.
The award’s ceremony was attended by 500 young farmers, supporters and alumni and hosted by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) and sponsored by CFMOTO UK. The Heart of YFC Award, which Stuart won, is selected by a combination of judges scores and a public vote.
Judged by NFYFC President John Lee OBE DL, Chair of the NFYFC Board of Management Natalie McGinn, and NFYFC Chair of Council James Nixey, Stuart secured the top spot on the judges’ leaderboard and proved most popular in the public vote. In total, more than 2,100 votes were cast across all five finalists.
Chair James Nixey described Stuart as a “bundle of energy”. He said Stuart was giving back to YFC and “inspiring others to do the same.”
He said: “I feel incredibly proud to represent such an amazing organisation that has so many outstanding individuals involved in it. Our 23,000 members make a huge impact on rural communities and the rural economy and we’re proud to champion the countryside and British farming.
“YFC offers so many opportunities to learn, grow and make a difference. Our winners are a brilliant example of what can be achieved when young people get involved and give back to their communities. Congratulations to all the winners.”
More information about joining a local YFC can be found at https://www.nfyfc.org.uk/joining-yfc