08/09/2026
Supporting New Entrants: How Start to Farm Work Placement Opened the Gate for Nox
Nox Hannigan joined the Start to Farm work placement scheme through Farming Connect with no formal background in agriculture. While he had fond memories of helping on his grandparents’ farm as a child, his career path had taken him in a different direction splitting time between outdoor roles, including volunteering with the National Trust, and desk-based work. Despite this, Nox felt a strong pull toward working more closely with the land and animals, particularly within the beef industry.
Farming Connect’s Start to Farm work placement scheme offered work placement opportunities for young individuals seeking paid work experience on commercial Welsh farms for periods of up to 12 weeks.
Nox was placed with Farming Connect mentor Cheryl Reeves, an experienced farmer who has diversified her farm into an agri-education centre, Agri-cation CIC in Wrexham. Cheryl is passionate about supporting individuals from non-agricultural backgrounds to enter the industry, helping to build a stronger and more sustainable future for farming.
Over nearly 12 weeks, Nox committed to working Wednesday through Sunday, fully immersing himself in day-to-day farm life. During this time, he gained hands-on experience across a wide range of tasks, including:
- Calf Rearing: Learning about housing systems, feeding routines, disease prevention, and animal welfare
- Livestock Care: Supporting the management of goats, sheep, and chickens
- Farm Operations: Assisting with maintenance tasks and general farm upkeep
- Farm Systems: Contributing to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Industry Exposure: Expanding his knowledge through a placement at Woodcroft Farm, deepening his understanding of the beef sector
This varied experience provided Nox with both practical skills and a solid understanding of modern farming practices.
Impact and Outcomes
Reflecting on his experience, Nox shared: “It gave me a really good foundation of knowledge and practical skills within the agriculture sector for me to build on.”
The placement had a significant impact on both his confidence and career direction. He highlighted two key achievements which were Personal Growth and Career Progression.
“For starters, personal satisfaction from finding something that I enjoy doing and that I am good at.”
Nox successfully secured employment within the agricultural sector following his placement. “I was able to get a good job off the back of it. I had a great experience during my placement and was able to get involved in things I never thought I would.”
When asked whether the programme helped him secure his current role, Nox was clear, “Absolutely. I wouldn’t have been able to get this job without the Start to Farm placement, as it gave me all of the skills that my current employer was looking for and let me hit the ground running in a way that just wouldn’t have been possible without the experience from my placement.”
Nox’s journey demonstrates the transformative impact of the Start to Farm programme. With the right mentorship, practical experience, and supportive learning environment, individuals from non-traditional backgrounds can successfully transition into agriculture.
Through Cheryl Reeves’ guidance and the opportunities provided at Agri-cation CIC, Nox not only gained valuable technical skills but also discovered a fulfilling and sustainable career path within the farming industry.
The Start to Farm work placement scheme will return in the autumn, when a new set of work placement opportunities becomes available.
For more information on the Start to Farm programme and to view current opportunities that are available for new entrants, visit the Farming Connect website.