Harriet & Josh

Harriet and Josh attended the farm separately but have ended up working on the same farm and supporting one another with their learning and progress.

Harriet (Gillingham school, started in nurture group)

Harriet attended the farm between 2014-2017. Originally Harriet was enrolled on a 12 week programme through her school, but enjoyed it so much she kept asking to come back and was still here two years later! Harriet started with a group doing basic animal care tasks and progressed onto the City and Guilds award. Harriet says that coming to the farm allowed them to “…realise this is what I wanted to do.” Harriet said that they looked forward to the sessions and could see what they wanted to do in the future.

Harriet now works at Stalbridge Estates Park Farm. Harriet started here on work experience but was offered a job after she finished her Level 2 course in Agriculture at Kingston Maurward. Harriet is now employed as a general farm labourer but says they most enjoy looking after the cows and concentrates on them being healthy.

Harriet said that the time on the farm was valuable in helping choose to get into agriculture. Harriet’s highlight was feeling that they were trusted by the staff to drive the tractor after their work experience.

Josh (Gryphon school, nurture/City and Guilds group)

Josh attended the farm first when in year 7 for a short period of time but came back in 2019 as part of a larger nurture group to do the City and Guilds Level 1 qualification. Josh said they really enjoyed their sessions at the farm and that it really changed what they wanted to do in the future.

When Josh first attended, they were scared of the cows but after a couple of sessions their confidence built, and they built their confidence with them. The work with the cows changed their confidence so much they have ended up working with them! Some of Josh’s favourite memories of the farm include the team tasks such as clearing the river wearing the waders.

Since leaving Josh has completed the Level 2 City and Guilds in agriculture at Kingston Maurward and is aiming to do the Level 3 next year.

Josh is also working at Stalbridge Estates Park Farm, starting with a summer placement, and then leading to work and may be working their two days a week next academic year.

Josh has said that they were struggling to find the right placement at first. Once they started at the Stalbridge Farm they met Harriet and remembered being told by one of the mentors about Harriet and their successes whilst at Future Roots. Josh said that knowing about Harriet really helped them feel safe at the farm.

Harriet and Josh both returned to visit the farm and said they enjoyed returning to the farm and seeing the mentors and animals.