Mental health, or poor mental health, is an issue that affects the farming community greatly and it is well known that loneliness and social isolation can lead to mental health problems.

Those working in the agricultural sector, like the FUW, will regularly come into contact with lonely people who are at risk of poor mental health and with this in mind, the Union made a commitment at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in 2017 to further raise awareness of mental health problems in rural communities.

Taking that commitment a step further as an employer, Union staff have recently participated in ‘Mental Health First Aid Wales’ training, delivered by Emma Picton-Jones of the DPJ Foundation.

The two-day training course looked at various elements of mental health, symptoms and signs of someone with poor mental health and explored how to help someone with poor mental health such depression, anxiety and psychosis.

“Mental health is an issue for every workplace and workforce and I’m pleased to say that our staff now had the appropriate training, which will help them help others with poor mental health such as depression, anxiety and psychosis.

“The FUW takes its commitment to fostering good mental health serious, especially as our awareness of the risks for farmers become more visible,” said FUW Managing Director Alan Davies.

Former chef to Her Majesty the Queen, Huw Jones from Pennal, will be cooking up a breakfast storm at Canolfan Pennal, near Machynlleth on Thursday, 24 January, as part of the FUW's farmhouse breakfast week.

He will be joined in the kitchen by a group of enthusiastic young farmers from the local area, supporting the FUW's breakfast campaign, which promotes the quality premium local produce that farmers grow for us every day of the year.

The breakfast will start at 8.30 am and costs £10.00 per person, with all the proceeds being split between Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Farming Community Network.

Speaking ahead of the breakfast, FUW Meirionnydd CEO Huw Jones said: “We are very excited about this breakfast. Huw and the team are bound to be cooking up a fantastic breakfast, which we can all enjoy together whilst sharing our thoughts about the industry.”

Other breakfast feasts in county are held on Tuesday, 22 January at Tŷ Mawr, Carrog, Corwen, Friday, 25 January at Fedw Arian Uchaf, Y Bala and Saturday, 26 January at Bryn Uchaf, Llanymawddwy, Dinas Mawddwy.

To book your seat at the breakfast table please contact the team on 01341 422298.

Following an emergency meeting of the FUW’s Chairmen and Presidential team (Wednesday, 16 January), the Union is calling on the UK Government to immediately withdraw Article 50 and take back control of the process of exiting the European Union.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “I spent all day in the House of Commons yesterday and discussed the urgent need to safeguard the agricultural industry with MP’s from across the political spectrum prior to the meaningful Brexit vote. I made it very clear that we can’t afford to crash out of the EU with no deal. The consequences would be devastating.

“Given the result of this vote and the dangers of a no-deal scenario, our chairmen and Presidential team felt that the only way we can take back control of the Brexit process is to withdraw Article 50 and by doing so safeguard the future of the agricultural industry not just in Wales but across the UK.

“There seems to be growing support for a second referendum across the country, which appears to be reflected in our own sector and we will be discussing this further at our next Grand Council at the end of the month.

“But given that time is running out, the FUW urges the UK Government to take immediate action.”

Farmers from Carmarthenshire are invited to join the Farmers’ Union of Wales for two special meetings, which will provide an update on the most urgent farming matters, including climate change, Brexit, water quality and BVD.

Addressing the meeting at the Talardd Inn, Llanllwni on Thursday 24 January, is FUW Head of Policy Dr Nick Fenwick, and FUW Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy will address the meeting at the Cottage Inn, Llandeilo on Tuesday January 29.

Both meetings start at 7.30pm

FUW Carmarthen CEO David Waters said: “We look forward to welcoming members to our sub-branch meetings and hope many of you can make it. These meetings will provide you with an update on the most urgent matters relevant to our industry, as well as giving you the chance to ask questions.”

For further information contact the Carmarthen office on 01267 237974.

The appointment of Welsh beef and sheep farmer Geraint Davies to the Board of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW).

Geraint, who farms at Fedw Arian Uchaf, Rhyduchaf, Y Bala, with his wife Rachael, is also FUW Meirionnydd County Chair and Chair of the Union’s Younger Voice for Farming Committee.

Geraint and Rachael, both believers that food production and environmental conservation go hand in hand, keep 1000 Welsh mountain ewes and a commercial herd of 40 suckler cows.

Welcoming Geraint’s appointment to the board, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Given that 90 percent of Wales is managed by farmers, the appointment of a Welsh farmer to NRW’s board is long overdue.

Dementia advisers are to join farmers for breakfast in Pembrokeshire, and are ready to chat to anyone who would like to know more about what help is on offer for those who have had a dementia diagnosis.

The breakfasts, held on Tuesday 22 January 2019, at Canolfan Hermon, Hermon, SA36 0DT and Friday 25 January 2019, at Crundale Hall, SA62 4DF, have been organised by the Pembrokeshire branch of the Farmers’ Union as part of the Union’s Farmhouse Breakfast week (Monday 21 - Sunday 27 January 2019).

Dementia Advisers Heather Harrison and Maxine Ford cover all of Pembrokeshire and offer support and information about dementia.   

Their referrals come mainly from the memory clinic, G.P.’s, other organisations and self-referrals. The information they provide is through the ‘Dementia Connect’ service, which is a combination of telephone, print and online support, as well as face to face home visits.

Both Dementia Advisers are able to discuss individual’s needs and concerns and signpost to the relevant support.

Breakfast will be served from 8.00am to 10.30am in Hermon and 8.30am to 11am in Crundale and will cost £10 per person, with all the proceeds being split between Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and Farming Community Network.