A Pembrokeshire teacher with a background in beef farming is hoping to entice the next generation of farmers, scientists and engineers to consider jobs in the industry with a series of video messages from professionals working in agriculture.

Jo Jenkins, whose family fattens calves on a smallholding at Roch but who is also a qualified secondary school teacher, wants to educate young people about the diversity of careers within agriculture.

To achieve this she has launched a project she is calling ‘Farming is more than …’

Jo had convinced industry experts from traditional farmers, agronomists and scientists to engineers, zoo keepers and journalists to film video clips explaining what they do and giving their own opinions about agriculture and their role in it.

She is aiming to take her project into secondary schools locally, and possibly nationally, later this year.

“I strongly believe there is so much more to farming than so many young people realise,’’ says Jo, who also milks part-time on a dairy farm in Brawdy.

Her project is aimed at demonstrating the diversity of careers within agriculture, and the use of engineering, science and technology in the industry.

“I strongly believe that there is so much more to farming than so many young people realise and am taking the opportunity to demonstrate the wide scope within agriculture,’’ says Jo.

Securing the next generation of workers needs to be addressed at a school level, she insists.

“This is where my project is targeted,’’ she says.

In addition to the video messages, young people will be given information about the qualifications they need to get into different careers and which colleges and universities offer courses that provide these.

When she is not teaching clarinet, saxophone and flute, Jo helps on the farm. She is passionate about farming and teaching and, through her project, she can combine both.

“I adore my job and am passionate about farming and proud to be part of this incredible community,’’ she says.

“My hope is that students between the ages of 15-17 will have a greater awareness of careers within agriculture and a greater understanding of the choices available to them if they wish to pursue such a career.’’