Sam Stables, who is a tenant farmer from Herefordshire and the co-founder of the We are Farming Minds, charity, will take on the walk from Ross on Wye to London as part of the annual Mind Your Head Week campaign run by the Yellow Wellies charity.
The Kingsthorne sheep farmer will be wearing a seed bag on his back with words on it representing some of the worries farmers carry with them, often silently, every day and in isolation.
He has partnered with Yellow Wellies for their Mind Your Head Week campaign, which is supported by the NFU and other industry groups. Sam is also likely to wear a pair of yellow wellies for the final mile across London.
“I want every farmer to know that support exists, that they are not alone, and that things can get better.”
NFU member and co-founder of We are Farming Minds, Sam Stables
Open conversations
Sam starts at 7am from Ross on Wye Market on 9 February to raise awareness, support the campaign and fundraise for the National Federation of Young Farmers.
He said: “I want every farmer to know that support exists, that they are not alone, and that things can get better.
“The walk will be a real challenge but I am ready for. This will help to raise awareness of mental health challenges within the farming community, which is just so important. The event will also support young farmers as I want to help give the next generation the voice, confidence and support they deserve.
“By taking on this challenge during Mind Your Head Week, we are calling for greater understanding, more open conversations, and stronger support for those who feed the nation.”
Stop, and look out for ourselves and each other
Sam will stay at farms on his route through Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and plans to arrive at The Farmers Club in Whitehall, London, on 13 February.
There he will meet members of Yellow Wellies and others including NFU Deputy President David Exwood.
David said: “I wish Sam all the very best with his walk and the important work being done by We are Farming Minds.
“No-one should have to face mental health challenges alone. We know how isolating this job can be, and we also know how important it is to talk.
“Farming is an incredibly rewarding way of life – we produce food for the nation, care for the countryside and work in a sector built on community and shared experience.
“Mind Your Head Week is an important reminder to stop and look out for ourselves and each other. Taking a short break, checking in with a friend or simply talking to someone can make all the difference.”
We are Farming Minds
From unpredictable weather and financial strain to isolation and long hours, British farmers are carrying more weight than ever before.
Sam set-up the charity We are Farming Minds with his wife Emily, following his own struggles with mental health. HRH Prince William is the charity’s patron and We are Farming Minds offers a range of services including counselling, bespoke agricultural training and a 24-hour support line run by Samaritans-trained volunteers.
Alongside supporting farmers and the next generation, they also run a retired farmers' group, which has about 130 members who visit a different farm each month.
Sam hopes the charity can continue its vital work and is keen to see it rolled out to more counties in the future to spread the message and offer wider support.
To find out more about Sam's fundraising mission, visit peoplesfundraising.com.
People can also follow Sam’s journey via social media @Wearefarmingminds.
