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Archbishop of Canterbury pays tribute to farmers
The Archbishop of Canterbury has paid tribute the work done by farmers for the UK’s wellbeing, environment and economy – and for feeding the nation.
Speaking in the run-up to Christmas, Justin Welby said the coronavirus pandemic had reminded people that farmers were key workers. For society to flourish, it was vital to support farmers – and rural communities and parishes, he said.
Mr Welby made the comments to more than 100 invited guests as he delivered the annual NFU Henry Plumb lecture last month in London. The lecture is named in honour of Lord Plumb, who served as NFU president from 1970 to 1978.
As well as producing affordable and nutritious food, farmers had a key role to play in supporting rural communities, said Mr Welby. In return, people could support farmers by eating locally and seasonally, he suggested.
Food standards
The archbishop also discussed the role of the church in supporting rural communities. There was a need to educate people about food and farming he suggested – and for more food served in schools to be British-sourced.
On food standards and trade, Mr Welby said: “Our farming communities can lead the way on food standards, animal welfare, trade and exports that make people’s lives better and more prosperous around the world.”
Highlighting the opportunity to increase exports of British food and drink, the archbishop said the farming community had a unique opportunity to be at the heart of building rela-
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says farming must flourish
tionships overseas.
“Making the most of the overseas market post-Brexit is crucial. We need to get our trade deals right to protect the world-class British standards of farming – bad deals risk exporting environmental and animal welfare harms and destroying farmers livelihoods.
Our farming communities can lead the way
The government needed to partner with farmers to build global ambition and increase the British food brand identity globally, said Mr Welby. British farming could become a global leader in sustainable, climate-friendly, high standard food production.
“Now is the time to harness these challenges, from the local to the global level, and transform them into opportunities. We can put down firm roots in values and communities, and those roots enable us to be resilient and flexible when any storms come.”
Strong roots would help farmers be ambitious and innovative. “That way we can ensure we fulfil our potential and flourish together, as the farming industry cares for our wellbeing, our environment and our economy for many years to come.”
MPs launch study into rural mental health
An influential group of MPs is investigating ways to improve rural mental health – and is inviting farmers to have their say.
The inquiry by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee wants to identify the mental health challenges faced by people in the countryside – and highlight ways to resolve them.
Committee chairman Neil Parish said: “Mental health matters to us all. But for some people working in rural communities there are special factors that are often hidden in a world that sometimes feels like it is driven by those in towns and cities.
“I’m a farmer myself and I know how people in our communities can sometimes suffer from isolation. That’s not to mention how insecure incomes, volatile weather and many other issues can be real stress factors.”
Urging other farmers and interested parties to take part in the inquiry, Mr Parish said the committee would recommend ways the government could improve mental health provision in the countryside.
The Farm Safety Foundation reports that that one farmer a week in the UK dies by suicide, while research by Edinburgh University has shown that the rate of suicide in the veterinary profession is at least three times that of the general population.
Some 81% of farmers under 40 believe mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today. Furthermore, 92% believe that promoting good mental health is “crucial” if lives are to be saved and farmers kept safe. To help the inquiry, please visit www.bit.ly/ruralMPs
Three Midland farmers have been awarded fully funded places to attend the next month’s Oxford Farming Conference which runs from 5-7 January 2022.
Sponsored by the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH), the Inspire programme has been designed to support 30-45 year olds who would otherwise find it difficult to attend the conference.
The group selected for Inspire 2022 represent a wide range of sectors in agriculture, food and the environment. It includes Nottinghamshire farmer Joe Fisher, Warwickshire farmer Charles Goadby and Shropshire farm manager Gregg Tayler.
Other Inspire delegates from the region include Anglian Water catchment advisor Kelly Hewson Fisher and Grimme product specialist Ed Hodson, who is vice chairman of the Agricultural Engineers Association technical committee
Exclusive visit
In addition to the January conference, the group will attend a pre-conference away day including dinner, a guest speaker, exclusive visit, networking session and overnight accommodation at the Farmers Club in London.
Oxford Farming Conference director Emily Norton said it was a real challenge to select winners from a huge number of excellent applications. The selection panel was keen to support delegates who had not before attended the conference.
“As well as coming from a wide range of backgrounds, skills and experience, our 2022 cohort have all demonstrated a commitment to agriculture, to improving the diversity of our sector and to providing opportunities
Inspire delegates (lr): Joe Fisher, Charles Goadby and Gregg Tayler
to others.”
Ms Norton added: “We really look forward to bringing the group together in London to learn from each other and our great guests and experiences, and I am excited to start their journey towards OFC together”
Oxford is the UK’s leading international conference for farming and agribusiness. Its charitable remit is to inform, challenge and inspire all those who attend, to resonate and be a force for positive change throughout the industry.
Prize-winning apprentices at machinery show
Agroup of aspiring young agricultural engineers were recognised for their dedication and achievements at last month’s Midlands Machinery Show.
The annual Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society’s Engineering Apprenticeship award saw six students accept a cheque for £250 – the first in a two-year instalment totalling £500.
Oliver Coupland is in his second year at Ripon Farm Services, Retford, and loves visiting different farms with a variety of challenges. “I like the satisfaction of being able to get machines back to full working order,” he said.
A steam engine fanatic, Mr Coupland would like to be a master technician with responsibility for training up new apprentices. “One day I would like to be our depot’s gearbox specialist as I like the challenge of stripping and rebuilding them.”
Another Ripon Farm Services apprentice – based in Louth – is Isaac Kirk, who wants to specialise in harvesting support. “So far my apprenticeship has been an eye opener, the knowledge and skills I have gained are immense,” he said. “Every day is different.”
Chandlers also boasted two apprentice winners; Kieran Snowden at the Grantham depot and Zac Elsdon at Holbeach. Both have a passion for farming and are looking forward to developing their careers.
“It makes me very proud that the work I do helps farmers to carry on working and put food on our tables,” said Mr Snowden. “It is a great honour to have been selected for this award and will help me progress in my career.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Luke Hatton, who works at Russells, Newark. “One of our customers snapped the front axle on his combine. It was estimated the job would take about 10 days but my mentor and I ended up doing it in under half that.
Carrying the flame for women in the industry was Stella Hubbard (left), who works at Farol as a John Deere apprentice. “I would like to inspire more women to take on this career. I would also love to own my own farm and develop a career in farming.”
John Edwards, technology consultant at Farol, started out as a John Deere apprentice at the age of 16. A decade later he was setting up the firm’s new technology department. “It’s a great career path,” he said.
Christmas can be a challenging time
RABI is always here for you
At RABI, we understand that the festive season can present a complex mix of pressures. After all, farming life doesn’t stop for the holiday season. Any time of day or night, there’s someone you can talk to, every day of the year.
Call us 24/7 on: 0800 188 4444 rabi.org.uk/kooth
Christmas and the New Year can be a magical and joyful time, but for many farming people the additional pressures and expectations can also make the festive season a challenging and stressful time. The agricultural charity, RABI, is here to provide support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via its confidential freephone helpline. The small team of agriculturally trained specialists provide a ‘round the clock’ service, meaning there is someone who understands your challenges, and ready to listen whenever you are ready to talk. “The extension of our helpline to 24-hours is just one of the actions we’re taking to ensure flexible, accessible support is available across England and Wales,” says Alicia Chivers, RABI Chief Executive. Over the coming months, RABI will be launching further new services in response to the Big Farming Survey, which evidenced that over a third of farming people are probably or possibly depressed. These services will supplement the support that the charity is already well known for including long-term financial support to non-working and working farming people, benefits advice and practical support. “As the Big Farming Survey findings highlighted, levels of poor mental health and wellbeing across the farming community are extremely concerning. We all have a part to play to normalise conversations around our mental wellbeing to help create better futures for farming people,” Mrs Chivers concludes.
For anyone not feeling ready to speak in person, RABI’s online wellbeing platforms provide free, confidential access to advice and counselling support via rabi.org.uk/kooth. RABI 24/7 helpline 0800 188 4444
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