A CARDINHAM woman has been elected as the new chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.
Claire Worden, 31, a member of Lostwithiel Young Farmers' Club for 13 years, was voted in as chairman during elections in Coventry.
Claire, who works for Coca-Cola as a soft drinks consultant covering Plymouth, has represented Cornwall YFC and the South West area for the past five years and plays and coaches hockey at both club and county level.
She will now be the lead voice for 25,000 members from clubs and counties across England and Wales.
Claire takes on the role at a critical time for the federation as it develops a new strategy to reach out to more young people living in rural areas.
During her year as chairman, she said, she planned to campaign about rural isolation, raising awareness of the unique challenges rural young people faced and showing the support Young Farmers' Clubs could offer.
"I'm thrilled to be elected as the new chairman," she said. "I'm honoured to represent such an amazing organisation that has given me so much over the past 13 years of my membership.
"YFC has given me skills, confidence and friends for life," she said. "We're not just an organisation for young people involved in farming; we offer support and a social life to all young people in the countryside.
"I love living in a very rural area of Cornwall, but it comes with its challenges. YFC has helped me to stay connected and feel part of a much bigger community, and I want to use my year as chairman to make more rural young people aware of our clubs, so they can enjoy the same opportunities I did."
She will be responsible for leading overall policy for the federation, continuing the development and leadership of YFCs to meet the needs of members and further enhancing the YFC's image.
More than 100 members gathered in Coventry last week to vote on motions that affect the running of the organisation and to elect the new council.
The national council is made up of 63 members, associate members and co- options from across England and Wales and is elected by YFC members to represent their views.
Through steering groups, the national council also decides and shapes the federation's programme of work, planning events, competitions, campaigns and training for members.
