BBC Countryfile presenter and Gloucestershire farmer Adam Henson still believes farming is 'the best job in the world' which offers 'awarding and varied careers for young people across the agriculture and food supply chain, but said we must do more to reconnect with the general public.
Speaking to Farmers Guardian about his new rural mental health podcast ‘Keeping on Track' Mr Henson emphasised the need to be ‘more closely connected to the consumer' and for the general public to better understand not only what farmers do, where their food comes from, but also the multiple pressures farmers face right now.
'Reconnecting' with consumers
He said it was not only the farming community that needed to come together and champion and support one another, but also the country as a whole, adding we want the general public to be ‘passionate and proud of what farmers produce and how we manage the land, and to be sympathetic to the journey we are on to improve'.
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"The weather, taking on the family farm, all these pressures we know about, but the consumer is often sniping the farmer, saying you are killing the planet and the environment.
Pressures
"The consumer is so far left behind they have lost the idea of what happens in agriculture. They do not understand the work and the pressure that goes into it, and we need to build that.
"It has got to happen, we have to be more closely connected to the consumer."
Education
He added education was key, particularly from a young age, urging for the introduction of an optional GCSE in agriculture, land use and education.
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"Agriculture as a whole is incredibly vibrant, exciting, business minded industry to be in and we should be at forefront of success."
But Mr Henson added that when you hear about so many farmers struggling with their mental health and some taking their own life, it is difficult to say that farming is brilliant, adding we have got to do something to change that.
Reach out
Whatever you are going through, you can seek help from a number of services:
Samaritans - 116 123
Farming Community Network - 03000 111 999
PAPYRUS - 0800 068 4141 Talk to Frank - 03001236600 SHOUT - 85258
Watch the full interview with BBC Countryfile's Adam Henson and FG chief reporter Rachael Brown here:
