Long hours, working alone and a feeling of being undervalued and disconnected from the wider public are among the key factors which cause loneliness within the farming community, a major new study shows.

The research by the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR) and national charity The Farming Community Network (FCN), has identified reasons why farmers and farming families can feel isolated and lonely – at the same time laying bare many of the challenges and pressures farmers regularly face in their occupation. The research was carried out by Dr Rebecca Wheeler and Professor Matt Lobley from the Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter and Dr Jude McCann and Alex Phillimore MCIPR from The Farming Community Network (FCN).

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.

A farming man, aged 50-59, said: “I don’t understand what people want from British agriculture anymore. That’s what makes me feel a bit lonely and a bit sad really.”

Recommendations made in the report include:

The work of the Farming Help charities, including FCN, is vital, and these charities must be properly funded.

Regulatory inspectors and farm assurance assessors should be trained to recognise mental health issues.

Rural GPs and Community Psychiatric Nurses should have greater information and training on the specific issues and challenges faced by members of the farming community.

There should be an expansion of practical and business support for farmers.

Continued investment in rural broadband access from local authorities/providers is essential to improve connectivity and reduce isolation.

There should be greater social opportunities and networks (both in-person and online) for farmers, farm workers and farm family members locally.

Further education of young people on food production, farming and environment is necessary in helping to attract more people into farming and to reduce feeling of ‘disconnect’ from wider society many farmers experience.

Spending time with family and getting away from the farm should be normalised via promotion of a culture change within farming communities.