Rural Communities Receive Wellbeing Boost
The Government has announced its support for 18 community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund.
A 20-year old farmer’s tweet about her declining mental health has sparked a massive response online.
Shephard and relief milker Ffion Hooson has been running her family farm in Denbighshire, North Wales since mid-2018, when her father suffered a major stroke.
Hooson says her father spent four months in hospital before being discharged and continues to be in recovery.
The heartbreak of her father’s health combined with bad weather and the responsibilities of running a farm proved too much earlier this month when the young farmer took to Twitter to express her pain.
“I’m 20 years old and farming alone and I am constantly putting a brave hard face on... yet deep down I’m pretty much breaking inside... it’s the most I’ve struggled and no one really understands but I have no choice but to carry on,” Hooson posted on Twitter.
I’m 20 years old and farming alone and I am constantly putting a brave hard face on... yet deep down I’m pretty much breaking inside... it’s the most I’ve struggled and no one really understands but I have no choice but to carry on?? pic.twitter.com/n8keHhWci5
— Ffion Hooson (@ffionhooson0) February 7, 2020
The tweet sparked an outpouring of support and other farmers sharing their experiences, with over 2,700 replies and 2,000 retweets.
A week on, things appeared to be looking up for Hooson, who shared that she was now being given support on-farm.
Well it’s a week on from the tweet that went viral and the main man is back home, doing what he does best #farming and spending the day helping me, move sheep and clean the sheds out!! What a man! #BobFronFelen @ElenGwen @nwilliamsff ❤️? pic.twitter.com/g7OVuEvvuy
— Ffion Hooson (@ffionhooson0) February 14, 2020
While Cyclone Vaianu remains off the East Coast of New Zealand, the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group says impacts have been felt overnight.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.

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