As part of our regular series of profiles on the region's Young Farmers' Club members, LUCY STOWELL talks about working at one of East Anglia's largest farming estates.

Ever since joining Young Farmers back in 2004, I knew I wanted to work within agriculture – though I wasn't sure at what.

My dad and brother are both agricultural engineers, and we rear pigs so it was inevitable that a career in agriculture would happen.

I completed the first year of A Levels before taking an apprenticeship in business administration and human resources management. I joined NFU Mutual, improving my administration skills and getting to work more closely to the agricultural industry. And in May 2017, I began my current role as personal assistant to senior farm manager at the Elveden Estate.

The Elveden Estate comprises 22,500 acres on the Norfolk-Suffolk Border. It has diversified into produce marketing, forestry, hedging, food production, leisure and retail as well as farming 10,000 acres. The main crops are potatoes, onions, carrots, parsnips as well as combinable crops such as wheat and barley. The farm is a LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) demonstration farm and is host to the SPoT Farm (Strategic Potato Farm) East Project.

My job is incredibly varied. My main focus is working alongside the farm managers and assisting them in any way I can. I quite like analysing data but also I enjoy the data input side of my role. Because the estate grows such a variety of vegetables and crops, I learn so much every day.

I am so grateful to Young Farmers for giving me a voice. Many people would struggle to believe that I was a shy 10-year-old when I joined the organisation back in 2004 as a Countrysider. A friend from my small primary school took me to my first Countrysider meeting and I have never looked back. I used to dislike taking part in the public speaking competitions but I have learned to communicate over the years with people of all ages, and to both large and small audiences. I was astonished to reach the National Member of the Year final at aged 21, and finishing in fourth place.

I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Young Farmers organisation and to be the first female past-Countrysider member to be named as Norfolk YFC county chairman.

Without the encouragement of my family and friends I wouldn't be where I am today. I am a true believer in 'Young Farmers; the more you put in the more you get out'. My main aim this year is to see all the members at their clubs and continue to build on the fantastic work other county chairmen have achieved.

PROFILE:

• Name: Lucy Stowell

• Age: 23

• Occupation: Personal assistant to the farm manager at Elveden Estate

• How long have you been a member?: 13 years (including five as a Countrysider)

• YFC Club: Diss Young Farmers

Diss YFC meets at Burston Pavilion, Tucks Mill, on Wednesday evenings. For more details about Norfolk Young Farmers contact the county office on 01603 731307.