Never has it been as clear as it is now that South Africa desperately needs young farmers for progress.
“South Africa cannot exist without young farmers, there is no way,” said Henna du Plessis, chairperson of TLU SA Young Farmers Committee, with conviction.
“Agriculture has grown over the past few years – in spite of everything – and this is thanks to the perseverance of the country’s farmers, including the young farmers.”
According to Du Plessis, it is also necessary for all young farmers to be part of an organisation such as TLU SA.
“In the current circumstances we cannot help but be part of organised agriculture. The challenges are just too many. We need TLU SA to be a mouthpiece and to speak for young farmers. When it gets difficult, it’s even more important than ever to put heads together and know you’re not alone on an island of your own.”
The 2022 Young Farmer Conference is on 10 June and will take place at the Voortrekker monument. Speakers include Jacob van der Westhuizen (Diversification), Dawie Brits (2021 Young Farmer of the Year) and financial experts Johan Kotze and Kobus Oberholster.
“I believe we will walk away with confidence from the conference after talking about common challenges. The speakers will motivate us. And we will know that the young farmer will get our country out of the current trouble!”
The annual TLU SA Young Farmer of the Year competition has started, and entries are awaited from all regions. During the week of 11 July 2022, we will visit the finalists on their farms after which the winners will be announced with our Congress on 7 September.
Du Plessis sees the Young Farmer competition as a good measurement if you are serious about being a successful farmer.
“It’s a way to know where you stand as a farmer. The possibility of constructive feedback, that might be experienced as negative feedback, scares some from entering, but it is very important to farm with precision in the current environment. If you can do something better, it is necessary and important to know it.”
Each region must nominate three finalists who we will visit. We are excited about the prizes that have been obtained with great gratitude from various sponsors for this competition and will announce details of it during the Young Farmer Conference.
The future of agriculture is in the hands of the next generation of farmers and therefore this is a very important competition for us.
Feel free to contact your regional manager or chairman if you believe you are TLU SA’s 2022 Young Farmer of the Year!
North: Drickus – drickusb@gmail.com
Northwest/Free State: Jannie – jannieraath@yahoo.com
East/Natal: Ronnie – r.schilling@live.co.za
Central: Lynette – sentraal@tlu.co.za
Western Cape: Bennie – liebenberg@breede.co.za
