Farmers grow our food and care for animals, ensuring we have fruits, vegetables, and meat. They face growing challenges like Brexit, trade deals, rising costs, climate change, and unpredictable prices.
All these changes are challenging because farming is usually slow to change, and farmers need to learn new stuff to keep their farms working. For example, in some places, it's not raining enough, like in East Anglia. So, farmers must find new ways to use their land, like for tourism or housing, to make a living.
Literacy, Numeracy, Digital Skills & Personal Finance
Farming is often passed down in families, so formal education, like school, is vital. The most important skill for farmers is being good with numbers. They need to understand money – how much they spend and how much they earn, so they know if they're making a profit or losing money.
Also, being tech-savvy is becoming more important. Farmers use technology for things like getting government support or renting out places on Airbnb. They even sell their stuff online, like at farmers' markets or on websites. So, numbers and tech skills are useful for farmers these days.
Accountability, Empathy, Being Entrepreneurial, Resilience
For farmers to do well, they should have two important traits:
Aiming High, Attention to Detail, Communication, Problem-Solving, Staying Positive, Teamwork
Farming often presents numerous challenges due to the unpredictable nature of weather, animals, and crops.
Therefore, the importance of problem-solving in this ever-changing world and maintaining a positive attitude cannot be overstated. Additionally, attention to detail is crucial for farmers as it aids in accident prevention and ensures safety during farm work, contributing to the smooth operation of everything.
Lastly, staying positive is essential for farmers as it enables them to cope with challenges and stay motivated to handle the demands of farming.
Business, Finance, Systems, Processes & Tools
Farmers have to have good organisational know-how to run a successful farm. They need to keep an eye on how much they spend and make sure they earn enough. They also have to pay their workers and suppliers, save money for taxes, and plan when to do things like plant crops or take care of animals. Understanding of all of this helps them make their farm work smoothly and make money.
Sector-specific elements of understanding required for the individual's role.
In farming, you need a wide range of skills to succeed, whether you're growing crops, raising animals, gardening, or managing dairy. Unlike some jobs where you go to university or college for specific training, farming know-how often comes from experience rather than formal schooling. Many farmers learn from their parents and by working on nearby farms or with local experts.
