Just Farmers is looking to recruit pig farmers to take part in fully-funded Media Education workshops this autumn.
Just Farmers, set up in 2018 by freelance journalist and broadcaster Anna Jones, aims to build farmers’ confidence and communication skills, ultimately to help improve the relationship between farmers and the general public.
It is currently recruiting for its next round of workshops, kicking off on October 28 and 29. Groups of 12 farmers from across the farming sectors will attend the workshops, the first in a city (Birmingham or Bristol) and the second (early December) on a farm in Staffordshire.
The two-day workshops are free and all expenses (except travel) are covered, but places are strictly limited to 12.
There are still spaces for an indoor and outdoor pig producer to join farmers from all other sectors of the industry.
- You can access the application form here: https://www.justfarmers.
org/for-farmers/register
The workshops cover everything from storytelling to filming on a smartphone, so members of the agricultural community can tell their own story, in their own words to audiences they may not otherwise reach, or meet day-to-day, Anna explained.
“It’s more important than ever to improve communication between urban and rural communities, build self-confidence among our farmers and create positive and supportive networks,” she said.
Giving pig farmers a voice
Even though it has not always proved easy to recruit from within the pig sector, plenty of pig farmers who have joined the network have never looked back, Anna added.
According to Yorkshire pig producer Stephen Thompson: “The pig industry is still here in part to the fact that Just Farmers gave me and others a voice.”
The poultry sector is also well represented. Leicestershire broiler producer Will Oliver said: “Just do it! I’ve already met so many different and inspiring people. Our group ranged from organic mushrooms, to veg boxes on allotments to intensive poultry producers – and we had more in common that you might expect. We all want to feed people.”
Anna added: “Our workshops offer a safe and supportive learning environment, surrounded by fellow farmers and growers and – after 21 workshops – we’re proud to say we’ve received 100% positive feedback.”