A survey of more than 500 farmers and agricultural professionals from across the UK has revealed that farmers are proud of UK agriculture’s sense of community and its progress in innovation and sustainability.
Other key aspects that made farmers proud of UK agriculture included:
- Its resilience;
- Its reliability;
- Its commitment;
- Its quality of produce;
- Its high animal welfare standards.
The survey, which was carried out by the Farming Help charities (The Farming Community Network, Addington Fund and Forage Aid), has been circulated today (Friday, January 6) in advance of LAMMA 2023, where the charities will feature at two health and wellbeing panel discussions.
Alex Phillimore, head of communications and development at the Farming Community Network, said the aim of the survey was “to promote the many great things about UK farming and to help remind people of the passion, dedication and hard work of our vital farming community”.
Accepting help
Seven out of 10 farmers who participated in the survey said they would feel comfortable asking a charity for help if they felt they needed support.
Those who said they would be hesitant in seeking charity support said it was because they would feel embarrassed asking for help, or would find it challenging to talk about personal feelings and experiences.
Some expressed interest in learning more about charity services and how they could benefit.
“The Farming Help charities conducted this survey to learn more about the industry’s awareness of the wide range of charity support available to people in agriculture, as well as to better understand some of the reasons why people might be hesitant to speak to a charity,” Phillimore said.
“We know picking up the phone and asking for help is often the hardest step; we hope to normalise speaking to charities before people reach a crisis point and before people have exhausted other options.
“The sooner we are contacted, the sooner we can support and help people find a positive way forward, whatever the problem or concern may be.”
Health and wellbeing at LAMMA
LAMMA, the UK’s leading agricultural machinery, equipment and services show, will take place next week, on January 10-11, at the NEC in Birmingham.
The Farming Help charities will be hosting two panel discussions at LAMMA 2023 in the Health and Wellbeing Zone, Hall 9, Stand 9.530.
On Tuesday, January 10, from 2.30-3.15p.m, the charities will be joined by Andrew Ward MBE, Will Roobottom and Anna Longthorp to debunk some of the myths surrounding agriculture and highlight the many ways farmers care for their livestock, protect the environment and keep the nation fed.
On Wednesday, January 11, from 1:30-2:00p.m, the charities will be teaming up with Jeremy Gibbs, founder of Forces Farming and Forces into Agriculture, to talk about wellbeing support in the workplace, including creating a healthy and safe workplace culture, supporting colleagues and spotting the signs of mental ill-health.
