Rabobank Young Farmers Master Class

Agriculture’s leaders of tomorrow

It has been almost two years since we organized the 2012 Rabobank Global Farmers Master Class. The Master Class originated from our firm belief that farmers all over the world will have a vital role in warranting global food security. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since 2012. We reported on the outcomes of the Master Class through the book, The Future of Farming: The Rise of The Rural Entrepreneur.

We also produced a movie about global food security from the farmers’ perspective and presented on this subject on every relevant stage all over the world. The story of The Future of Farming is not just on tens of thousands of kitchen tables around the world but also with ministers, students, consumers and many more. We continued our efforts, fuelling dialogue and debate.

The challenges and themes are not depleted, nor resolved. Far from it. They are still relevant today and will remain relevant tomorrow. But together, we get closer towards solutions and success for farm businesses. The food security issue will not be resolved overnight, nor will the challenges for farmers be overcome tomorrow. It requires the attention of this generation as much as the next.

Much of our success in warranting a food secure future will depend on your development, your innovative power, your farming skills, your ability to produce more with less, and by sustainable methods. This is why we are organizing a unique Master Class specifically aimed at 50 of the world’s next generation of agricultural leaders: the Rabobank Young Farmers Master Class.

As the world’s leading specialist agribusiness bank, Rabobank is committed to the development of the agricultural sector. We believe that ongoing education of primary producers is an important way to contribute to the future growth and development of agriculture around the world. I encourage you to consider the program as a vital investment for your business and the industry as a whole.

Being a farmer’s son myself, I look very much forward to meeting with 50 of tomorrow’s leaders in agriculture in the Netherlands.

Berry Marttin Member of the Executive BoardRabobank Nederland

Foreword

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The Rabobank Young Farmers Master Class (Saturday 31 May – Friday 6 June, in the Netherlands) is a unique and exclusive gathering of 50 of the next generation of world class farmers from all over the world – or, in other words, the ‘agricultural leaders of tomorrow’. You will work with food and agriculture researchers, masters of innovation and seasoned experts in management development. Visits to agricultural flagship companies will provide you with a behind the scenes look at best farming practices. The sophisticated programme and active participation and interaction with fellow farmers, programme moderators and presenters will help you gear up for your role as an agricultural leader of tomorrow.

The Young Farmers Master Class

The Young Farmers Master Class

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• An exclusive and challenging week-long summit in the Netherlands for 50 agricultural high potentials from across Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

• Developed specifically for farmers with a truly entrepreneurial spirit.

• Focuses on the strategic challenges for farmers preparing for the next phase of their professional development within the context of global food security.

• Leverages participants’ expertise and experience and facilitates knowledge exchange through interactive presentations, class discussions, working groups and case studies.

• Presented by renowned food and agri researchers, masters of innovation, farming professionals and seasoned experts in management development.

The programme in a nutshellThe future of farming framework We will analyze the Global Food Security issue from the farmer’s perspective and set the scene and the context for the Master Class programme.

Innovation Or what we like to call ‘Silicon Farming’; to produce more with less in a sustainable manner, we need to submerge into the world of science and innovation. We will visit, among others, the F&A science and innovation centre, Food Valley and Wageningen University.

Big data Closely related to innovation, this topic concerns ‘slicing and dicing’ data to improve one’s business. This is not purely a trending topic in retail/end-consumer markets, but also within agriculture. We will deep dive into agriculture’s ‘next big thing’ and its impact on farm business models.

Social media We will investigate the opportunities of using social media in facilitating connections with peers worldwide, knowledge-sharing, etc.

Succession Farming is much more than putting a seed in the ground. It’s become a very complex business and today’s farmers have to be strong in a multitude of disciplines including tax and regulations, finance, risk management and marketing. We will provide you with invaluable insights, readying you and/or your business for succession.

Best farm practices During the programme, we will address topics such as farm management, growth strategies and Marketing 2.0. Visits to flagship companies and farms that excel in innovation, management and business operation, will provide inspiration and hands-on insights to identify room for improvement back home.

Why participate?

4 | Global Farmers Mater Class

The facts The world’s population is forecast to grow from 7 billion today to over 9 billion in 2050. Not only is the population increasing, it is also growing older and wealthier. World average income per capita is expected to roughly triple and in order to feed more, longer-living, wealthier people, farmers will have to increase global food production by at least 70%.

At the same time, we are nearing the limits of our natural resources. Higher food demand will have to be realised with less land expansion potential, less inputs and fewer emissions and waste. So we have to produce more with less. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 10-15% of supply growth could come from land expansion. Productivity gain, however, has slowed to 1.4% per year, whereas it needs to be at least 1.75% to meet the future demand for food.

In Rabobank’s view, farmers and especially the next generation of farmers, will play a vital role in the shared responsibility of meeting future demand for food. In the Young Farmers Master Class, we will focus on the global themes, linked to food security, that are especially relevant for you, both in your current context and future development.

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This exclusive Rabobank Young Farmers Master Class is specifically designed for the next generation of agricultural leaders. The limited numbers enables you to network and learn from your peers, which will be beneficial long after the programme is over.

• Gives a platform to interact and exchange knowledge with leading experts, food scientists and your global peers.

• Provides you with insights on the world’s most significant challenges for food security and the road towards a sustainable future for farming.

• Enhances your knowledge of agricultural trends, challenges and opportunities from a world agriculture perspective and geared to your specific context as the next generation of agricultural leader.

• Takes you to the Netherlands, the world’s second largest exporter of food, though a country with one of the world’s lowest rates of land per capita. To learn about the Netherlands’ agricultural successes at first hand, we will visit the agri knowledge center: Food Valley.

• Offers a unique opportunity to participate in an optional Dutch farm stay.Includes visits to some leading farms and food and agribusiness companies.

• And last but not least, offers you the opportunity to experience the Netherlands.

What to expect

Food Valley Entrepreneurship, innovation and networking

A prominent element of the conference programme is a visit to Food Valley. The Food Valley Region is a unique, world-class and extensive cluster of knowledge and science, comprising companies and research institutes with one focus: food. At its heart is Wageningen UR (University and Research centre).

Food Valley has the ambition to become the Agro-Food centre of Europe, and the top region in the world for knowledge and innovation in the area of healthy and sustainable food. In Food Valley, three players have found each other in a golden triangle: the Dutch government to create a good corporate climate and a high standard of living; knowledge and research institutes to develop innovations and trade; and industry parties to market this.

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We would like to invite all participants of the Young Farmers Master Class to make use of the unique opportunity to stay at a Dutch farm. This farm stay will take place prior to the Master Class. You will stay for three days at the farm of one of Rabobank’s Dutch clients and get to know one of your industry peers, gain insight

into their business and talk about industry challenges. Besides this, the farm stay will be a perfect opportunity to get acclimatized, acquainted with the Dutch culture and see some of the great things the Netherlands has to offer. During these three days, partners or spouses are more than welcome.

Unique farm stay

The Young Farmers Master Class:

Applications are open to young farmers from across the globe with an innovative spirit and a forward looking mentality, who are committed, entrepreneurial, motivated and willing to share and learn from others.

Please complete and submit your application, either via the attached Application Form, or online via https://events.rabobank.com/GFMC/by no later than 28 April. We will confirm your place on the Rabobank Young Farmers Master Class, as soon as possible, but by no later than 5 May.

Tertiary qualifications and computer literacy are not pre-requisites for applicants.

Selection criteria:• Minimum of five years on-farm experience and/or

aged under 40.• Current or future key strategic decision maker on the

farm.• Able to demonstrate a successful track record and a

progressive farming business.• Demonstrate a desire to invest in the future and a

passion for a sustainable future for agriculture.• Willing and motivated to share ideas and learn from

others.• Desire to be innovative and focused on growth.• Have no problems speaking and understanding

English.

Course fee EUR 1,500 includes:• Rabobank Young Farmers Master Class participation.• All sessions, presentations, excursions and course

materials.• All accommodation, drinks and meals during the

programme for participants.• All transport within the Netherlands during the

programme.• Optional Farm Stay prior to Master Class.

PLEASE NOTE: not included in the course fees are: international airfares, visa fees if applicable or travel insurance.

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How to apply

About the Rabobank GroupRabobank Group is a Netherlands based, international financial services provider operating on the basis of cooperative principles with a predominant focus on providing all finance services in the domestic market. Internationally the Group’s focus is on food and agriculture. In line with its cooperative roots, Rabobank Group is a cooperative bank, comprised of independent local Rabobanks, plus their central organisation Rabobank Nederland and its (international) subsidiaries. The organisation has approximately 59,500 employees (fte) worldwide and operates in 42 countries.Rabobank Group has high credit ratings, awarded by international rating agencies Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, Fitch and DBRS. In terms of Tier I capital, the organisation is among the top 30 largest financial institutions in the world. Internationally, the Rabobank Group operates specialised entities including De Lage Landen (leasing and vendor financing) and Rabo Real Estate Group (real estate management). For more information about the Rabobank Group go to www.rabobank.com.

Please note that:• Accepted participants will receive all key information about programme and

logistics well in advance.• Rabobank reserves the right to vary the course details, including presenters,

course content and venue.• Except as stated otherwise, refunds will not be payable.• The selection of participants is at Rabobank’s discretion.• Participants consent to the use of photographs, testimonials, video material,

etc. being used for promotional purposes, including in edited form.• There is no separate programme for any accompanying family members.

MORE INFORMATION NEEDED?To find out more information about the Rabobank Young Farmers Master Class email or call Marinda Verbakel from the YFMC team.

Email: futureoffarming@rabobank.comTel: +31 30 71 22880