Celebrating UK agriculture through Farmers Guardian’s #Farm24 can help combat feelings of isolation in the farming community, Farming Minister George Eustice has said.
Mr Eustice, who is backing the campaign, said he hoped #Farm24 would show farmers how much the public values the work they do.
“The issue with agriculture, and it has been a problem which has always existed, is for some sectors in particular, farming can be quite a lonely pursuit,” he said.
“We do sometimes have problems in agriculture of loneliness and isolation and people suffering low mood.
“Celebrating the work farmers do through Farmers Guardian’s #Farm24 campaign can really help people understand the work they do is valued by our country, and crucially, in this time of great change, the UK Government is going to stand side-by-side with them to help them through any issues which may arise.”
As part of the campaign, Mr Eustice will be judging a photograph competition which will be run through Defra’s Twitter account.
“#Farm24 is one of the biggest online events in the farming calendar and it is great Farmers Guardian runs this campaign to raise awareness about farmers and the great work they do,” said the Minister.
“We [at Defra] are here to champion the interests of agriculture, to bring forward policies which will give agriculture a better, more profitable future, so we absolutely want to play our part and participate.”