John Deere training scheme

Unquestionably one of the most important initiatives the Guild does every year – and which largely goes unseen – is the training course held in conjunction with John Deere.
For three days annually and with follow-up on-the-job work experience at a range of agricultural and horticultural magazines we give a range of people an insight into agricultural journalism and all it entails.
For the last three years I have had made an annual visit to Nottingham to attend the course, held at John Deere's UK HQ at Langar.
The experience we give the trainees is invaluable in telling them what journalism and professional writing is all about.
To that end the Guild owes a great depth of gratitude to John Deere, as well as to company PR, and Guild member, Steve Mitchell, who annually launches the trawl to find suitable candidates, then brings them – and their tutors – together as well as organising all the work placements.
We're also fortunate in that independent editorial consultant David Mascord takes the course for the two days of classroom-based training. He's a real pro in encouraging and stimulating discussion among the trainees as well in constructively criticising their work.
Also helping this year were Kevin Brewer, a dairy farmer, writer and communications specialist; Charles Abel, the head of content at Farmers Weekly, and Martyn Cox, freelance garden write and editor.
This year the Guild had a very diverse group of trainees, ranging in all ages from their teens to their 50s. Several of those on the course were in the midst of a career change and looking for something different to do. I'm not sure if journalism is the stress-free career they seek, but if it is they will have to pass on some tips on how to make it so. After more than 20 years in this business, I've still to find a way of making it less stressful, mind you at the sharp end of daily news it has to be said that there is a certain adrenalin rush from which you can get a certain pleasure.
So who were our candidates this year? Well they were Jeffrey Brown, Michael Butland, James Cullimore, Simon Henley, Christopher Lockwood, Owen Marriott, Susan Morgan, Charlotte Case, Pauline Masurel and Kathryn Nolan.
Since completing the course they have all been set a writing task for the annual John Deere Award. It's due to presented at the Guild's party at the Royal Show, assuming it goes ahead at Stoneleigh in July.
Oh and thanks to Steve Mitchell for a picture of our trainees at John Deere at Langar.