Hannah Reddaway: Get-togethers are crucial in farming world
© Telling Photography I was fortunate enough to attend the Farmers Weekly Awards recently. It’s not often you get to party with hundreds of other farmers on Park Lane, in the very heart of London.
I was certainly struck by the magnificence of the venue, even if I felt slightly out of place surrounded by chandeliers instead of farmyard floodlights.
It was a glamorous setting for an evening of celebration, reminding us that in a world where farmers are all-too-often criticised, it’s worth occasionally coming together to recognise our individual and collective achievements.
See also: Hannah Reddaway – diversification demands time and patience
About the author
The event brought farmers together from across the country. Even on my table, Devon, Suffolk and Perthshire were represented.
I was captivated by the welcome advice of the 2023 Grassland Manager of the Year winner and a passionate sheep farmer finalist, gaining valuable insights into their achievements and receiving guidance in both areas.
The farming community came together in a warm, welcoming, and friendly farmhouse atmosphere, to celebrate success and recognise the best in British farming.
It was also a chance to offer and soak up encouragement and hard-earned wisdom, alongside reinforcing our sense of belonging to a larger shared agricultural family.
At a national level, farming can be a lonely business, not least because so many livestock markets have closed.
One survey by the Farm Safety Foundation found that 92% of farmers under the age of 40 think poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers, so coming together like this is crucial.
With the room full of industry leaders, innovators, and trailblazers, it was also a chance to gain insights into cutting-edge practices in different areas of farming.
With music filling the air, and both the dance floor and bar equally bustling, the event once again proved that hard-working farmers know how to have a good time, even if some of the dancing was a bit questionable!
It was a night to remember, emphasising that in agriculture, success goes beyond yields. It’s also about bonds and shared joy, and the incredible strength and spirit of our community.