Cultivating Change : My Experience Growing up and Working on a Farm

Working in agriculture brings immense rewards, but it also presents many unique pressures. While many picture farming as a peaceful life, few realise the psychological toll that the long hours, isolation, financial stress and increasing unpredictability of weather take on an individual. In the UK, the mental health crisis among farmers has become a significant concern, as it affects both men and women across the industry.    Farming is a lifestyle as much as it is a job; its full of early mornings, unpredictable hours and is always a constant battle against the weather. During busy seasons I can often find myself spending hours on my own in the fields, sometimes feeling a bit cut off from the world. My friends outside of agriculture sometimes don’t understand why I can’t come and see them during busy times on the farm. They don’t and many members of the public don’t understand the level of uncertainty we have to deal with, thus we have to work long hours when the weather permi...

Growing up on our family farm, I’ve been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by hardworking, supportive people who inspire me every day. Each person brings something special to my life on the farm, and combined they’ve taught me the importance of resilience, teamwork and passion.   Firstly, my grandpa, who at over 80 years old is still out working with the same dedication he has carried for decades. He’s a quiet force on the farm, and I’ve never heard him once complain about long hours or hard work. His knowledge is unmatched, and he is an encyclopaedia of farming history and techniques. His humility and willingness to share what he knows is clear, and he has passed down lessons to me that no book or classroom could offer.    Granny and Grandpa! My dad is passionate about farming, especially potato farming, and he loves to share his knowledge with me both on and off the farm. His dedication to what we do is inspiring, and he never hesitates to teach me what he knows. He’s a...

  Women have played a crucial role in the history of agriculture in the United Kingdom, contributing labour and knowledge to sustain the land and communities, yet often their stories remain in the shadows. Women’s journey in agriculture goes back thousands of years, from the very start of farming around 10,000 BC to the modern day, where their roles have constantly evolved in response to societal and technological changes.     Traditionally, rural Britian had a clear division of labour between men and women. While men handled heavy field work and large animals, woman would be in charge of smaller livestock tasks. They would have been indispensable during harvest time, gathering crops in a communal effort. Known dismissively as the ‘farmers wife’ these women would have ensured that the farm functioned smoothly, especially helping with book keeping, however their contributions were not fairly recognised.   The advancement of mechanical equipment in the 19 th ...