Farming Community Network mark 25 years of supporting region's agriculture

Farmers across Devon have marked the 25th anniversary of the Farming Community Network (FCN), by walking 25 miles

Farmers across Devon have marked the 25th anniversary of the Farming Community Network (FCN), by walking 25 miles.

Initially, a group of ten members of the group hoped to traverse 25 miles across Dartmoor. Due to COVID-19, were forced to carry out their treks near their homes.

Joanne Jones, assistant coordinator of the FCN in Devon, said she took part in a walk around Mid Devon on Sunday, May 24, to raise awareness of the cause as well as raising more than £600.

She said: “Businesses have been affected by large variations in prices for milk, beef and sheep, but hopefully food security will become more important on the political agenda’ the Agriculture Bill currently going through Parliament should support the amendment that any imported goods should by law have to meet the same welfare standards as UK farmers face, to avoid cheap imports that they won’t be able to compete with.

“In times like these, it is more important than ever that farmers build their personal and business resilience. As FCN enters its 25th year in 2020, we have evolved from merely responding to farmers in crisis into an organisation which offers a much more proactive support service that actively encourages farmers to seek help before their situation worsens significantly. We now plan to be even more focussed on helping to build personal and business resilience in those that turn to us for help.”

About the walk, she added: “I wanted to do something to raise awareness and let people know we’re still here during the lockdown.

“I did a circuit from my house in Down St Mary, out towards Spreyton, Hittisleigh, and back home for a 20-minute lunch break. I then headed to Morchard Bishop and back in a loop.

“It was a really nice afternoon. I have been doing a lot of walking across Exmoor and Dartmoor on my own, but I was a bit worried about twisting my ankle and having no mobile reception. From a safety point of view, I thought it was better to do it locally.”

She was joined by another of the FCN’s co-ordinator Colin Smallacombe for ten miles.

“We’re very lucky where we live in the midst of COVID-19 that we’ve got so much beautiful countryside to enjoy on our doorstep,” she said.

“Enjoying the countryside helps your mental health and wellbeing. I’d encourage others to go out while adhering to the guidelines. Please ensure you keep to footpaths, keep dogs on leads and pick up after them as there has been an increase in trespassing, livestock worrying and rubbish since the restrictions.”

Money raised will go towards supporting the farming community, from BSE to bereavement, foot and mouth to family disputes, TB to tenancy issues, retirement to relationship problems.

“In Devon, we have around 100 new cases and are involved in 200 ongoing cases each year,” Joanne said. “This year has seen a 30 per cent rise in calls for help. Our team of around 30 volunteers, help from visiting, signposting and befriending, for as long as needed.

“We are a Christian charity set up 25 years ago, to help those of many faiths or none. Our support is free, confidential and you can contact our helpline every day of the year from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm.”

More than a third of cases being dealt with involve an aspect of mental health.

“This continues to be one of our focus areas – encouraging people to talk about how they are feeling,” Joanne said. “Along with some of Devon YFC members, we have been trained to deliver mental health awareness sessions. We have now visited nearly every club in Devon. The stigma around mental health is changing with many requests coming from farm groups & organisations for talks about mental health awareness.”

On average, one farmer in the UK dies by suicide every week.

Joanne added: “This needs to be addressed – it can only be achieved by a willingness to talk.

“Farmers are very resilient and adaptable, but not all have family or friends around them to offer support & that is where we can help.

“Another growing area of concern for the farming community is dementia. We continue to work with researches at Plymouth University to understand what help is required and what we can do to help.

“We work closely with other farm charities to offer the best support we can to those in need.”

The FCN is also partnered with the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, offering free fire checks. The group also hopes link with Devon Carers to offer a service to allow them a break and time to themselves.

“We expect the next few years to bring an increasing calls for help, especially with Brexit,” Joanne said. “Throw in some challenging weather, red tape, concerns over methane and vegan activists. FCN will continue to support farmers in need and at a National level, inform those making policies, what the effect of those will be on farmers.

“As this is our 25th year, we had many events planned, which have had to be postponed, but keep an eye on our FCN Devon Facebook and Twitter page.”

Joanne added that you could also get more information via a new FarmWell scheme.

“It’s a one-stop online resources hub to help farmers and their businesses stay strong and resilient. FarmWell gives ready access to a range of vital information from a wide variety of sources. It is free to use and has three clear aims: To help develop and keep farm businesses resilient through changing times; to help farmers, their families and their staff become resilient and enable them to manage their personal and business lives more effectively; to provide ready access to a range of support and help to anyone who may need it.

“FarmWell is available to use now and is already attracting interest from a wide variety of key agricultural stakeholders, including the NFU and AHDB.

To learn more about FarmWell, visit www.farmwell.org.uk. If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, call 03000 111999 or email help@fcn.org.uk. To donate to Joanne, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jo-jones42.