A Pinchbeck teaching assistant is up for a national farming award.
Sophia Tibbs (24) is one of three finalists in the Young Farmers Club Leader award at the Young British Farming Awards 2025.
She has been the secretary of Spalding Young Farmers for the last three years having joined a year before.
Her mum and dad Dee and Chris Tibbs were both involved in the organisation for 13 to 28 year olds, the latter having worked on farms for a number of years.
“Young Farmers has been something I’ve been in and around most of my life,” said the teaching assistant at St Thomas’s School in Boston. “I’ve always been around events they’ve put on.
“When a friend joined they encouraged me to join too and it’s really just blossomed from there.”
The awards ceremony is to take place on September 13 in Yorkshire.
“My friend had told me they’d nominated me, but I hadn’t really thought about it, so to learn I was a finalist was still a surprise,” Sophia said.
A spokesman for the awards said of Sophia: “Her initiative and dedication to her club’s members does not go unnoticed, and she is an excellent example of a Young Farmers’ Club Leader.
“She is described as a credit to the club and a true example of, ‘you don’t have to be a farmer to be a young farmer’.”
It’s a special year for Spalding Young Farmers, its 75th anniversary.
They meet on Wednesday evenings, mostly at Spalding Constitutional Club on Broad Street.
“It’s a really good social evening and you learn different things, especially if you’re not a farmer.
“You learn about all the different farming industries, how it all fits together and a lot of new skills.
“You also get to meet a lot of people from across the county.
“What I enjoy most is helping putting on events and seeing people enjoying themselves, making new friends and gaining confidence.
“That’s especially the case with the junior members which we’ve had an increase of in recent years.
“It’s really rewarding.”
“It’s a growing passion for me and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of it.
“I’ve made lifelong friends and this nomination shows you don’t’ have to be a farmer to be involved in Young Farmers.”
For more information on Spalding Young Farmers and upcoming events visit their Facebook group or email [email protected]
