As our brilliant In Your Field columnist Helen Stanier writes this week, farming is for everyone, and while it has much to do to become fully inclusive, it is only by working together for the good of our sector that we can effect positive change.
It is people like Helen who take the time to speak to organisations outside of farming, as well as those on the inside, who are leading the way when it comes to shifting the dial. Accusing or even rounding on each other, as we have seen recently, can be harmful and cause more disunity.
Yes, the industry should hold up a mirror to itself and ask if it is genuinely a welcoming, safe and professional place to work; it should empower people to speak out when it is not and hold those who behave unacceptably to account.
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But blanketing blame on certain factions of an already maligned community can cause more harm than good, bringing about even more division at a time when the industry should be standing united. Respect is a huge part of this, as is working together, education about what is acceptable and what is not, raising awareness, finding solutions and doing the right thing.
Change is only brought about through the power of people, standing together with a genuine will to change things for the better and for the good of the industry.
On the subject of change, from next week Farmers Guardian will have a new look. As we kick off our 180-year anniversary celebrations, we will mark the milestone with a new glossy cover, and over the next 12 months we will celebrate the history and heritage of our iconic brand while also looking to the future with some exciting new additions.
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Since 1844, we have been connecting farmers and strengthening rural communities; we have been by your side through the good times and the bad, and we will continue to have your back.
From me and the FG team, we thank you for your support and we look forward to unveiling our brand new look next week.
