Young People in Agri: Jill Liggett
From the moment Jill learned how to walk, she was already getting stuck into life on the farm and now, at 22, her passion for farming has only continued to grow. Alongside helping on her family’s dairy farm, she also manages her own flock of commercial breeding ewes, meaning there is never a shortage of work to do.
Alongside helping on her family’s dairy farm, she also manages her own flock of commercial breeding ewes, meaning there is never a shortage of work to do.
Born and raised on a dairy farm, nestled in the countryside of Co. Tyrone, farming has always been a huge part of Jill’s life. However, it was during the Covid pandemic that her passion for the agricultural industry grew. She now works on the farm on a daily basis; balancing early mornings and late nights while studying Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies at Queens University.
Between milking, lambing and keeping up with coursework and exams, her schedule is always busy. Although, despite the demanding lifestyle, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
But while Jill’s passion shines through, so does her concern for the future of the industry. There is no doubt that the farming industry is facing an ageing crisis, between the costs, inspections and regulations, farmers are constantly facing new issues everyday. “It’s a hard industry to be in, with all the political regulations being thrown at farmers, farming can become very isolated. I think mental health is a huge issue amongst farmers, because there’s always something to be stressed about and often no one to talk to about it."
Jill further commented on the lack of support outside of the farming community, as one of the biggest frustrations is the growing pressures farmers face from regulations and rising costs, to often feeling misunderstood by the wider public.
“People will paint farmers as animal abusers, but animals are every farmers pride and joy and without farmers people wouldn’t be able to live.
"It’s scary to see it fizzle out, as I’ve said its a hard industry to be in and lots of people want a job with a lot of money and no work which isn’t what farming is. The older generation are carrying the industry. Young people are put off by the struggles of farming between the physical side of things to again the regulations to just trying to get started, it’s very difficult,” Jill said.
“It’s very difficult to get started, especially those who are starting out on their own with no one to help and it is so expensive. You will be in debt for a while before you start to make anything back, which the government definitely aren’t helping with”.
Despite the challenges Jill still sees a future for herself in agriculture, showing that despite the hardships, farming can still be rewarding. Jill would love to work full time in either animal nutrition or genetics, while continuing part time dairy and sheep farming.
"You really have to love it, and once you’re in it, there’s a good community with organisations like YFC and other farmers who want to help and support you. I enjoy farming because I just love animals, I enjoy working with them everyday and being outside a 5 day a week office job, I like being active.”
“At, at the end of the day, farming is a job you have to love to do it. It’s a good feeling when everything’s going right, but obviously every farm has the odd problem which a majority of the time, is unavoidable. But it’s a good feeling when you see calves and lambs being born, getting bigger and stronger”.
Jill’s love for farming remains stronger than ever, a passion that the industry is lacking in young people. While the industry faces undeniable challenges, young people like Jill prove that there is still a future in farming for those willing to embrace it. Passionate, educated and realistic about the challenges ahead, she represents the kind of young voice agriculture needs more of.