Ellie Scovell - Volunteering can help kickstart your career

When you are from a non-farming background, you might believe that you don’t have a chance to get into farming. There are many ways to still succeed in the career you love as proven by Ellie Scovell, a young farmer who is also a first-generation farmer.

Ellie didn’t think about farming until she was 19 and there weren’t many opportunities for her where she grew up. Ellie’s background was in customer service, but she found herself drawn to the farming life.

How did she do it?
Ellie began by volunteering and working for free helping out farmers. This is one of many great ways to get into farming as it allows you to gain first-hand experience, learn from others who have been in the industry for years, and also create connections with others in the industry which can help lead to a job in the future. As she had no agricultural qualifications, she relied on experience and learning on the job.

For some, voluntary work may not be an option, but there are other ways to get started. Agricultural courses are also great options for you as you gain qualifications, learn, and gain experience making it a lot easier to get a role in agriculture. College and university may not be for everyone, but there are many online courses available where you can begin learning the fundamentals of farming. There are also in-person courses that take place on the farm, these courses are usually paid but are perfect to learn directly from experts in the industry. 

Ellie proved many people wrong along her journey, including people who thought women could not do something. She is always willing to support others who are trying to make the same journey as she knows it can be a struggle for someone who doesn’t know where to start and believes that we need to help the next generation get into the industry. 

Getting into agriculture may be challenging if you don’t have prior experience or a family background in the industry.  With the right approach and reaching out for help, you can open doors and land the job you’re aiming for. The most crucial step is to learn about the industry. Take advantage of any experience available, even if it starts small or feels unrelated. This will not only build your skill set but also your confidence and industry network. From there, it will only get easier as you learn, adapt and create connections.

Why are connections important?
Not everyone is looking for workers, but at some point in life, you will know someone who is looking for work and also someone who is hiring. Creating a good relationship with others in the industry can open many doors for you.