It soon becomes obvious just how passionate Monty Mayes is about farming –

‘Hi I’m Monty I’m the newest full time employee at Hatfield Farm, I have been employed here for two years as a casual worker in the busy periods, but have now been taken on permanently, so that more of the jobs can be completed in house - jobs such as the spraying and more of the potato based work. I got into agriculture because as a young child I loved agricultural machinery and farming, and as an adult the passion is still there - I love my job and feel very lucky that I’m paid to do something that I love.

My role is forever changing but it involves mainly tractor and loader-based work to assist the main operator to carry out his job. During potato planting I drive the bed tiller and carry out some of the field prep before the potatoes are planted. In the summer months I help sort out the irrigation on the potatoes that we grow, then once harvest starts, I drive one of the trailers that unload the harvester. This year, with the support of Hatfeild Farm I hope to obtain more of my spraying qualifications so I can take on some of the spraying on the farm.’