Forget Tinder, Bumble, Match and the seemingly endless stream of dating apps.
Love can still be found in the most traditional of ways – by meeting in person.
Indeed, many who join their local Young Farmers’ Club have cheekily described the organisation as a “rural dating service”.
Want proof the so-called “service” works? Enter Kara Cameron Gall, 17, from Glamis.
She met her boyfriend, Lewis Simpson, after joining Forfar JAC (Junior Agricultural Club), her local Young Farmers’ Club.
Kara, who is in her sixth year at Forfar Academy, works part-time at her mum Kim’s business, The Gin Bothy.
“It’s thanks to Young Farmers (YF) that I’ve met my boyfriend and made best friends for life,” she says.
Kara had known Lewis, 18, since she joined the club four years ago. But they didn’t get together as a couple until last year.
“We started seeing more of each other outside the club at birthdays and dances with mutual friends from YF, and then were seeing each other from around July,” she explains.
Who can join Young Farmers’ Clubs?
Kara, who recently joined Forfar JAC’s committee, is keen to get across the message that you don’t even need to be a farmer to join – anyone aged between 14 and 30 can.
While Kara is not from a farming background, she’s grown up rurally, as her mum’s business started on a monitor farm, and she’s had horses since she was young.
When she leaves school, she hopes to study rural business management.
So what does she get out of YF? Where to begin!
There’s the wild, social side of things, with dinner dances, cabaret events, tug o’ war competitions, quizzes, sports events, stock judging, meetings, and more.
And they don’t all have farming themes.
Combatting isolation
Kara agrees that getting stuck into club events is a fantastic way for members to combat loneliness and rural isolation – major themes in the farming industry.
“Farming is an isolating industry,” she says.
“I know lots of friends that during busy times like harvest don’t have time to see anyone.
“So events through YF are the only chance they have to socialise.”
‘I’ve thrown myself into everything’
Kirriemuir-based Glen Barclay, 26, is club secretary of Forfar JAC. He also works as a reporter for The Scottish Farmer.
He’s completed several pea and bean harvests for East Coast Viners and has worked for his family’s timber contracting business since he was a wee lad.
Glen started going along to YF when he was 15, attending dinner dances and sport-related meetings.
He travelled for a few years, and moved to Aberdeen to study journalism at Robert Gordon University, so it was 2022 before he came fully immersed in YF.
“I’ve thrown myself into everything!” he says.
“This year I’ll take up the mantle of district chairman and hopefully vice-chairman of the national communications and marketing committee.”
Farming in Glen’s DNA
His reasons for joining YF? Farming is in his blood.
“Growing up being involved in the rural sector, many of my friends were from farms,” he elaborates.
“Both branches of my own family came from farming stock, my paternal grandfather grew up on a farm at Finzean, and my grandmother grew up on a farm near Montrose.
“My maternal grandmother’s father was a well-known grower of berries in Kirriemuir.”
Glen’s most memorable moment with YF? An exchange he organised with fellow young farmers from Ballyclare in Northern Ireland.
“This saw 15 of our members engage in a weekend of farm tours, social events and sporting competition with our counterparts across the water,” he says.
“When they returned to Scotland for the reverse exchange it was like we’d all been friends for years.”
Strong sense of community
Glen says the sense of community that The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) offers is invaluable “within an industry where isolation and loneliness can become incredibly prevalent”.
“There are few professions that could see you working 12 to 14 hour days for months straight, where the only people you see are your workmates,” Glen muses.
“Young farmers’ events can fill your calendar as much or as little as you like.
“There are events nearly every week, whether stock judging, farm tours, or dinner dances.
“These are a chance for a change of scenery – and sometimes a good news is all you need to turn the dial on a downward spiral.
“Essentially, YF offers a kind of camaraderie that joining a sports team does, the safety and security of a family, and the education of a school or college.”
Glen competes in as many events as he can – but found doing cabaret really pushed him out of his comfort zone.
He laughs: “Singing and dancing isn’t really me!
“But that’s part of the modus operandi of SAYFC, pushing you to become a better version of yourself.”
There’s no doubt that YF do a lot of good in the community.
So far this year, Forfar JAC members have organised donations to a foodbank and church, and crafted 120 baby hats and comfort squares for the neonatal ward at Ninewells Hospital.
Meanwhile, their annual Christmas Eve tractor run raised almost £11,000 for the Angus Toy Appeal.
Is it really a rural dating service?
Like Kara, Glen has made close friends through YF – and he agrees that the organisation can act as a rural dating service.
“Looking back at the lists of former members who have married, started families and built a life together, that’s incredibly evident,” he adds.
“Ultimately, SAYFC is a community, a family – one with open arms that can change your life.”
Mental health a big issue
Robbie Wills is the chair of Forfar JAC. The 25-year-old works full-time at Newton of Idvies Farm near Forfar as the stockman and tractorman.
He reckons the public “do not have a clue” what young farmers face “behind closed doors”.
And some really struggle, especially during lambing and calving season – and, when, heartbreakingly, their animals die.
“A farmer always thinks they need to do more to save an animal or get more things done – and in some cases they have done all they can, but it sometimes isn’t enough,” he laments.
“They can hold on to that in their heads for ages.”
Encouraged by his parents, who were members, Robbie joined Forfar JAC when he was 15. He became chair last year.
His most memorable YF moment was winning a calf overwintering competition.
That involved buying a calf, feeding and looking after it, and preparing it for show and sale time in April.
Going wild?
What does Robbie make of the stereotype of young farmers – some imagine it to be a testosterone-fuelled, casual sex, drinking culture – that can pervade?
He is well aware of the reputation they have of getting “a bit rowdy” when out drinking.
But he says the reason things can get “wild” is because they work stressful jobs, and are maybe meeting friends they haven’t seen in a long time.
A case of letting their hair down, essentially. And who doesn’t do that once in a while?
What about inheritance tax?
However, the subject of inheritance tax is something that troubles Robbie.
“I fear it’s going to squeeze farms beyond breaking point,” he says.
“The profit margins are sometimes tight enough to make a living off, never mind reinvesting back into the business to produce food for the country.”
Safe place for young farmers
Anstruther-based Ally Brunton, 28, is the national chairman of the SAYFC.
He reckons the organisation not only has a “vital role” to play within rural communities, but that it’s a support network and a “release” for those working in the rural sector.
“I know how important it’s been for my own mental health,” he reflects.
“Young farmers face a difficult stereotype within the public, and yes, the social side is so important.
“But what we’re trying to show is that it’s a safe place where you can grow as an individual, develop your skills, and gain a network of friends you can rely on.
“And even if you’re not from farming there’ll always be a place for you and something that will interest you.”
Travel opportunities
Ally, a member of East Fife JAC, has been lucky to travel with SAYFC, going to California in 2018, Chile in 2022, and the European Rally in Estonia last year.
“Having gained so much, you feel a sense of responsibility to give back,” he says.
“In 2021, after progressing up through the club committee, I went on as chairman.
“The same year I went on as National Agri and Rural Affairs chairman.
“I also got involved with Yellow Wellies, and we established a farm safety training programme delivered by SAYFC members.
“I realised SAYFC can have an influence on the industry, and that we’re shaping the next generation.”
Meeting royalty
A major highlight for Ally was meeting Prince William at East Scryne Farm near Carnoustie in February.
The Duke of Rothesay discussed rural isolation and mental health with young farmers.
“We also launched our Respect campaign – to encourage every young farmer to play their part in helping make SAYFC a safe, inclusive and fun environment,” says Ally.
“And there’s also our ARE EWE OKAY? campaign.”
Again, this aims to raise awareness about mental health and well-being within the young farming community.
- For more information, see sayfc.org
Conversation