Name: Ben Wilkinson
Age: 20
Home Town/City: Thirsk nr York
Course Details: BSc (Hons)Agriculture with Farm Business Management
Where did your interest in farming come from?
My family have a farm in Thirsk supplying eggs to Morrisons, sheep and arable crops and so I was obviously brought up on a farm and watched my dad working hard but enjoying his work.
When did you decide you wanted to become a farmer?
I wasn’t really interested in becoming a farmer until I was about 14 when having helped out when my older brother was away, I found that I really enjoyed it and would eventually like to work on the family farm. I visited an Open Day at Harper Adams with my older brother and it was suggested that biology was a good qualification to have, so that’s where my journey began.
Can you tell me about some of the experiences and opportunities you have had since your placement started?
I managed to pick up some work in April with Hobson Farming but my actual full time placement started at the end of June for a year. I have had the opportunity to be involved in a number of different jobs including drilling carrots, combining and irrigation and I have only been here a few months. They’re willing to let me try out lots of stuff so I don’t know what I’ll be doing next, but for now I’m busy and enjoying irrigating.
Is there any such thing as a typical day?
I usually get to the yard around 7.15 for a 7.30 start.
We all meet in the workshop and have a catch-up and then jobs are assigned for the day. Andy Blunt the Farm Manager chats to me about my workload for the day and I get the chance to add my input to make a plan. I am usually then out in the fields all day until around 5-6pm working on the irrigation. When we were combining though we were still working at 1am to get the job done. So no two days are ever exactly the same.
Can you give me an example of a good day?
A good day is where I am doing something new. I like it when we transition to something different – which there is a lot of opportunity to do here. I really loved the precision of the drilling carrots as it’s such a specialist job. They put a lot of trust in me to do a good job as carrot seed is expensive and so much rests on accurate drilling which I kept checking throughout the day. I really enjoy the land work and it’s been good to be involved in irrigating the carrots I drilled.
What is it like working with the team?
Although I have only been here full time for 2 months it feels like 2 years – in a good way! Everyone is so friendly and willing to help me and share their knowledge with me. I have made some real friends and we all enjoy going to the pub together at the end of the day.
Have you been made to feel welcome and part of the team?
You couldn’t work for anyone nicer thar Rodger and Andy they have taught me so much since being here.
It’s great working with Andy as he did the same course as me so I can see where he’s put the course theory into practice and it’s good to see where I can get to.
What are your highlights so far?
My real highlight so far has been the carrot drilling. I can really see how that accuracy of fresh farming could be a benefit in other areas such as arable.
Is there anything you’re hoping to have a go at?
I’m looking forward to helping out with all the jobs coming up including the laying of the straw on the carrots soon.
Do you think Hobson Farming would be a good place to work? If yes, why?
Yes. Hobson Farming would be a great place for anyone to work. It’s a great place to develop and progress my career and everyone is so willing to help and open. There’s always a variety of jobs that need to be done, something important, not just time fillers.
