What farmers say and what they do are two very different things, as a recent survey found that while 78% of farmers said they could take a break, many don’t as they’re not able to trust anyone with the farm or insurance concerns.

‘I can take a break, but there is always something to do or something that can go wrong when away,’ said one Connacht farmer. ‘I don’t trust my farm with anyone,’ remarked another.

The results come about from an Irish Rural Link’s Farm Safety Community Champions project, where 58% of farmers said they rely on family for help, and another 6% rely on neighbours and contractors.

Isolation and loneliness was to the fore, as always, as one man said that he ‘would love to meet other farmers’, and another said how he’d like someone ‘to call for a chat’.

Nearly 300 farmers were surveyed over three months  from August to November at marts, agricultural shows, and community events.

All who participated were entered into a draw to win a weekend break at the Charleville Park Hotel, supported by SoHotels.

The purpose of the survey was to establish a network of ‘Community Champions’, and also to explore the potential for a farmer’s network, ‘The Farmer’s Haggart’.

The ‘Haggart’ is promoting a return to shared working and an opportunity to socialise with other people in the same line of work.

The group is envisioned as a kind of hybrid of Macra and a Men’s Shed,

If you’d like to see a Farmer’s Haggart Group in your parish, contact Brendan Mulry in Irish Rural Link at 087 2194243 or email [email protected]