Last year Stewartry Young Farmers Club celebrated their 75th anniversary, making them one of the oldest clubs in Scotland.  The club owes its origins to a group of young men who met at the Grange, Castle Douglas for a Stockjudging competition and over the past 75 years the club has evolved to cater for the interests of young people from both town and country, producing a club, which is one of the areas most popular youth organisations.

One of the key features which has contributed to the success of Young Farmers Clubs over the years is the unique way in which the clubs are run, by the members, for the members.  Not just at local club level, but right through to District, Regional and National level, committees made up of members are elected each year, which ensures clubs are run for the full benefit of members.

The club offers a diverse range of activities for anyone who is interested in joining.  Some of the activities enjoyed last year, included Laser Quest, Farmyard Frolics, a Police Talk, a Car Treasure Hunt, a Pool Competition, Curling, a Bonfire Night and Ten Pin Bowling.  Whilst the more traditional Young Farmers activities were also catered for, including Stockjudging, Farm Walks, a Mock Auction, Sheep Shearing, Beef Cattle Dressing and Speechmaking.  The social events were also not neglected, the club holding a Quiz Night, Halloween Dance, Burns Supper and a Dinner Dance to name but a few.  The club also holds sports nights throughout the summer and competes in various hockey and football tournaments against other clubs.  These are just some of the activities that people can take part in through the club,  not forgetting the Annual Concert which is always a hit, but particularly so this year, as the club were invited to perform a closing act at the Ayrshire District Young Farmers talent competition at Troon, which was a great experience for all involved.

A major element of being part of Young Farmers, is the Competitions between the other clubs in Dumfries & Galloway and also at Regional and National level.  Over the years Stewartry has had some notable successes, including winning the National Speechmaking final.  The club has also had plenty recent success in competitions.  Last year Katie Davidson and Michael Yates did extremely well winning the National Dairy Cattle Dressing competition.  Also doing very well for the club, were the 2 Junior Speechmaking teams of, Keith Riddick, Gordon Brown and Kirsty Paterson who won the Dumfries & Galloway Competition and Anna Yates, Jordan McCrae and Rachel Davidson who were awarded 4th place at the West Region competition and went on to represent Stewartry at the National Finals.  The 2009 competition season started recently with the Dumfries & Galloway Agriskills competition at Shire Agri Hire, Glenluce, in which the Stewartry team of James Picken, Donald Armstrong and David Campbell were placed 2nd.

Benefits of being a member of Young Farmers are numerous, some people gain self confidence through speechmaking competitions, others improve farming skills, but the main benefits that anyone who goes to Young Farmers will tell you, are that you have fun and make lots of new friends! Not just from the Stewartry, but from the other clubs in Dumfries & Galloway and right across Scotland through the various events and competitions throughout the year.

Looking to the future, 2009 is looking to be both a busy and exciting year for members of Stewartry Young Farmers Club.  The club hopes to compete in as many events as possible this year, including some new ones, such as the West Region Drama Competition and the West Region Talent Spot competition. 

The main thing to remember about Young Farmers, is that “You don’t have to be one, to be one”  The club is by no means just for people with a farming background, there are activities for everyone to be involved in, and anyone is extremely welcome to come along to a meeting and see if they enjoy it!  Events are advertised here on the club website, in the Galloway News and also on the clubs Bebo page, www.bebo.com/stewartryY2 and Facebook group. Or alternatively contact the club Chairman, Crawford Wilson, on 07791738142 or club Secretary Hannah Burns, on 07922947816.