Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:29 pm on 20 October 2021.
I'd like to thank Sam Kurtz for giving me a minute of his valuable time. I feel amongst friends today as we talk about this subject that binds us all together and it demonstrates the strength of the YFC movement in bringing us together. That movement has always been a fundamental part of the rural community: as Alun says, a key element of the fabric that binds all that is special about country life. I suppose I'm going to hark back to an older generation. I too had spots in those days, as I was growing up in rural Carmarthenshire, a member of St Cynog's young farmers club in the village of Llangynog. It was a place that really helped my personal development, for all of the reasons we've heard today. I remember going along to those public speaking contests, to the stock judging, to the preparation for rally, for the tug of war practice, for all of those things. That was 50 years ago, and it's still going strong today. But as Sam said, the young farmers movement isn't just a movement for farmers; it's a broad church, and even back those 50 years ago, there were people from all walks of life there. It's a proud movement that has so much to offer the young people of Wales. It brings out the very best of them, instilling confidence in creating well-rounded, strong and socially adjusted citizens who have an empathy and a love for the wonderful environment and the economies around them. We should never lose sight of our young farmers' contribution to rural life, and be ready to support them wherever we can. Long may it continue.