On Thursday we did something that I recon every farm should do. We got the whole family together and talked about our business. We discussed for a short while what has been going on in the last 12 months since our last family meeting, and then spent the rest of the time discussing the future. We didn't really dwell on tiny details instead Dad and I gave an overview of what we would like to achieve. When I think about the future in business terms I like to split it into 3 groups short term, medium term and long term. With my short term plans I can be more specific with the details, and time-lines, I put things that are going to happen in the next 12 months in this category.

The medium (next 5 years) and long(5+ years) term items are far less specific, but I still think that they are really important to talk about because it gives everybody a clear idea of where we are aiming to get to. Talking about the longer term aspirations for the business in a meeting like this is really good for me because it brinks the focus back away from the every day problems and onto the bigger picture. It helps to remind me why I'm doing all of this.

This meeting was one of our quarterly board meetings that we have. These meetings are the most valuable things that we do in the business. I remember as a child we used to call them boring meetings because all these exciting people would turn up at home for lunch but never stop and chat to us, they were always to busy talking grown up stuff. However now that I'm involved in these meetings I find them great. We have a great team of directors bringing in their knowledge and experience from out side the business, and asking some proper questions like why? It makes Dad and I think  a lot about the decisions we make, because we know there's always the chance we will have to answer one of these why questions. The bit I really look forward to in our meetings is the any other business right at the end, because it's a great opportunity to drop the odd bombshell out of the bloom. Most of the time any other business is used for things that have come up since the agenda has been sent out, but I like to use it to introduce new items to discuss at the next meeting as well.

Any other business?

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Finally its my turn (if you reckon I've got any of this stuff wrong then please add your comments)

I am engaged to the lovely Sharon aka Shaznee, we are getting married this summer and we will return from our honeymoon ready to go straight into harvest. Sharon and I met at a young farmers do a couple of years ago, where she fell for my boyish good looks and natural charm.

I have been back on the farm full time for 5 years now. I studied at Harper Adams University college, where I got a degree in agriculture with marketing. I got this degree following a more practical route than usual instead of doing A levels, then going to University. My agricultural education started when I was 13 I went to Brymore school in Somerset (see link from this website) which is a school based around all things rural and there was a farm which all the students were involved with, having to take turns at feeding the pigs, chickens, beef or sheep or milking the cows in the mornings before school, and again in the evening. I left Brymore with my GCSE's intact including one for agriculture and horticulture, then went onto Berkshire college of Agriculture. When I went to Berkshire, I was too young to go straight on to the National diploma course so I spent a year doing an NVQ and 1st diploma in agricultural engineering. The middle year of the NDA was an experience year so I took myself of to New Zealand on an exchange program with the Jersey Cattle Society, and stayed with some really good people out there, many of whom I'm still in contact with. I also went to Australia and worked on a massive 250000 acre station in New South Wales. After Berkshire i went to Harper, and started a Higher National diploma, this was supposed to be a 3 year course but because of my previous studies i was able to do it in 1 year. I then took 18 months out and did some more work experience I tried a spot of office work near London for 3 months where I enjoyed 1 1/2 hour journey to and from work! I also went to America to do the 2000 mile harvest, which was a great and interesting experience. I managed to fit some time in South America in while I was there too before coming back and topping up to a degree which I did in 18 months.

When not working or sleeping I sometimes manage to fit in other stuff I enjoy sailing Dad's boat which he keeps on the river Hamble, I'd like to go skiing every year but it doesnt always happen, and I do a wee bit of shooting in the winter months.

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Congratulations are due to Owen and Nicky on the arrival of their baby Lucy.

Owen joined us from a farm in North Oxfordshire, when he first came he was one of 5 tractor drivers. His first tractor was a New Holland 8770 which we had two of. Owens original job was ploughing, moving straw, and helping out with some of the cattle work when the dairy staff were on weekends off etc. While Owen has been here we've been through some restructuring, firstly reducing the number of staff, then loosing our Dairy, and moving towards minimal tillage with the arable work. All of this has meant that Owen has had quite a varied role in his time here.

Since then Owen has retrained and acquired a range of building skills, and now he spends a large amount of time with Dave and Mark on the building team, returning to the farm in the summer to drive the combine during the day shift (Dave Mullard takes over at night). Currently Owen is on a day release scheme learning everything electrical.

When not at work, and before he had a baby Owen follows motorbike racing, and for a while he was the offical photographer of one of the teams. He also has his own bike which in the summer months he likes to go off to a meet in Alton when he gets the chance.

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Come and join our Sponsored Walk

2pm - Saturday 17th May 2008, Hannington. Starting at the Vine

we are hosting a sponsored walk to raise funds for needy animals in our local RSPCA Branch. This is a very enjoyable way of raising funds (dogs are of course welcome). To get information and a sponsor form, you can download them from our website http://www.rspca-basingstokeandandover.org.uk/ or ring Jean on 01256782407.

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