Farmer Well Being Programme
Starting March 22 2023 Castlecomer Discovery Park
Rising fuel and fertilisers costs, regulatory change, climate change, just some of the challenges that are making farming life more pressurised than ever. Some of these pressures have been building year on year, invisibly layering on additional stresses which are affecting farmer health and wellbeing, quality of life and the lives of farming families.
Kilkenny Leader Partnership have devised a 10 week programme that aims to support farmers in a holistic way, by providing practical advice on CAP reform, Health & Safety, Agri business opportunities as well as skills to deal with stress, personal development and resilience building.
In 2022 a programme pilot was developed with a group of eight farmers and based on the outcomes and feedback from this group, a specially designed programme has been created to meet the needs of farmers who wish to make change in their own lives. This is achieved through three main strands of learning; traditional skills Development (dry stone wall building, live willow, wood craft, and hedge laying), Regulatory Environment Awareness (cap reform, health & safety, Agri business opportunities plus more) and Personal Development (stress management, adventure therapy, mindfulness, nutrition)Have a look below to hear what former participants say about the programme…
“Farmers find it difficult to find time for themselves, there will always be a reason not to carve out time to focus on your own wellbeing, but the question is, can you afford not to? Getting away from the farm, meeting new people, learning new things provides the head space to look at things from a different perspective” Conor Cleere, KLP
Any farm family in the Leinster and Southeast area is eligible to sign up for the programme. Over the course of the 10-week, flexible and blended course, participants will hone practical skills from trusted experts in the agricultural and education sectors.
The in-depth programme also much-needed time to de-stress and unwind with some fun adventure pursuits at the course venue, Castlecomer Discovery Park. The course requires a half day commitment once a week.
