A vital part of NSA Next Generation is the Ambassador Group – a group of up to 12 people, aged 18-34, selected to take part in technical and personal development.

Successful applicants are invited to partake in delivery sessions spread through a year, and subsequently develop a longstanding relationship with NSA that sees them become active members in their region.

With ambassadors selected from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the initiative provides the opportunity to meet likeminded people throughout the UK, as well as key people within the sheep sector.

Applications are now open for the NSA Next Generation Ambassador group! Click here to apply online today!

The four delivery sessions provided for NSA Next Generation Ambassadors are a mix of classroom activities, practical sessions, farm walks and site visits. They challenge the group to think objectively about their own businesses and the wider farming industry. Each session is two or three days long and is provided at no charge to the successful applicants. Topics covered in previous years have included:-

• Grassland management, sheep nutrition and body condition scoring
• Performance recording and understanding EBVs
• Market intelligence, lamb marketing options and specifications
• Health planning
• Measuring and driving on-farm efficiency and profitability
• Accounts/financial management
• Managing grazing agreements, rental opportunities and tenancies
• Anthelmintic resistance
• Time management, negotiation skills and leadership skills
• Promoting the industry and inspiring the next generation
• Media training

Being a NSA Next Generation Ambassador is about strengthening the sheep sector as a whole, as well as developing individual’s skills, and so ambassadors are encouraged to also share their experiences with others – this may be joining an NSA regional committee, speaking at farmer meetings, taking on a role within the farming community or getting involved in organising an event.