A lack of public appreciation for farmers and understanding of the work they do and the pressures they’re under contributes to feelings of loneliness, according to a new study published by The Farming Community Network and the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research.

The researchers explored the causes of feelings of isolation and loneliness in farming communities. The study involved in-depth interviews with 22 farmers/members of farming families and 6 farm support practitioners in England, conducted either by telephone or video-call between March and July 2021.

One of the key findings is that many of the farmers who were interviewed as part of the study felt undervalued, identifying a feeling of ‘disconnect’ between farmers and wider society, and a lack of understanding from the general public about what is involved in farming and its unique pressures

Loneliness was found in the study to be linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

Sadly, some of the farmers interviewed had been subjected to abusive behaviour, including being sworn at during the course of their working day.

One farming man, aged 40-49, said:

“In the local village the demographic has completely changed in the past 20 years. And you get sly comments or something from a footpath walker or you quite often get…someone flicking you the Vs on the road, or beeping their horn because you’re in the tractor going from A to B. So you get the sense that the local community isn’t really your best friend. You feel a bit of an alien on your own doorstep.”

The researchers recommend that there is a need to strengthen connections between farming and non-farming communities in order to avoid farmers feeling isolated from society.

This could include:

• enhancing opportunities for community engagement with agriculture
• improving public dialogue in relation to food and farming
• promoting local food networks that facilitate more direct relationships between producers and consumers
• a more positive and empathetic approach from Government and regulators when it comes to shaping and enforcing policy and legislative requirements, particularly since associated paperwork and inspections have long been identified as key sources of stress for farmers

The paper is available here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/soru.12399

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.

FCN has over 400 volunteers, located throughout England and Wales, many of whom are involved in farming, or have close links with agriculture and therefore have a great understanding of the issues farm workers and farming families regularly face.

In addition to local groups of volunteers, FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999, open 7am-11pm every day of the year) and e-helpline (help@fcn.org.uk).

FCN volunteers will “walk with” anyone who seeks support and help them find a positive way through their problems. Each year FCN helps approximately 6,000 people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental ill-health and family disputes.