How two livestock farmers give back to their communities
If you want something done, ask a busy person, so the saying goes. Few people are busier than farmers, yet thousands still find time to take on charitable and community roles each year.
The Farming Community Network alone rallies 400 volunteers across England and Wales, and countless other farmers take on a variety of roles while juggling the unrelenting demands of farm life.
See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2025 Sheep Farmer of the Year finalists
A survey of 569 farmers, commissioned by Farmstrong Scotland, found that 80% of respondents said helping others had a positive impact on their wellbeing.
We spoke to two inspiring livestock farmers who embody the spirit of service in their communities.
They share what motivated them to get involved and reveal how these experiences have enriched their lives and strengthened the bonds within their local communities.
Emma Jones © Rhian Price Media
Case study: Emma Jones, Cheshire
For Cheshire dairy farmer Emma Jones, dedicating time to help others offers perspective and a profound sense of purpose.
Emma milks 320 pedigree Holsteins alongside her parents, Dennis and Rachel Hughes, and her brother, Andrew Rutter, at Clayhanger Hall, near Crewe.
Three years ago, Emma became an NFU Farmers for Schools ambassador, a role that has allowed her to bridge the gap between agriculture and education.
In addition, she took on the position of parent trustee for her daughters’ high school last year. More recently, she began volunteering for the Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy, and Shout, a remote mental wellbeing service.
These volunteer roles followed the completion of her training in mental health in the workplace, carried out as part of the farm’s Muller Direct milk contract. She later undertook a counselling course through Shout.
“As a farmer, it’s in our DNA to be helpful and caring. Giving time to others gives me my energy back and perspective,” she says, adding that volunteering connects her with people beyond the farm gate and reminds her of the deeper purpose behind farming.
Time to listen
As a busy mum of two teenagers, and with the daily responsibilities of milking, paperwork and overseeing staff at the 130ha (320-acre) farm, Emma admits time is precious.
“I don’t have a lot of spare time, but it’s about making time for what matters. Farming can be such a lonely job, and we have lost too many people to suicide.”
Through her work with the chaplaincy and Shout, Emma has witnessed how powerful it can be to simply listen. She often finds herself talking to those in need at 2am while waiting for colostrum to defrost.
“You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to care enough to be there. Talking about mental health in farming breaks the silence and stigma,” she emphasises.
Emma candidly admits the pressures of farming have been overwhelming at times. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 27, she initially thought that would be her greatest challenge.
“However, two years ago, it was very wet – it started raining in October and didn’t stop. We couldn’t get slurry out. We were also shut down with TB, and I felt there was no let-up.
“Speaking to other people about their problems gives me perspective. Mental health is such an important part of what we do because farming is isolating and full of challenges.”
Bridging the gap
As a school trustee, Emma attends four meetings annually and sits on the student and curriculum sub-committee. She believes this complements her NFU work by bridging the disconnect between urban and rural communities.
“One school now has its own rooftop market garden, and the produce grown there is used in home economics lessons. We have also arranged visits to Reaseheath and the Cheshire Agricultural Show.”
As a female farmer, Emma is passionate about challenging the stereotype that farming is only for men. She also notes that her volunteer work has improved her ability to listen to staff.
“I now ask everyone how they are doing, whereas before, I wasn’t very chatty, especially at 4am.”
For other farmers considering volunteering, Emma’s advice is simple: start small. “One conversation, one small act of kindness, or one school visit can create a ripple effect.
“We’re natural helpers, and sharing a bit of our time and our stories can make a really big difference.”
Case study: Dan Pritchard, Gower Peninsula
Dan Pritchard © Dan Pritchard
Dan Pritchard might be in the middle of checking sheep, but when his pager goes off, this on-call firefighter must drop everything and go.
Within 10 minutes, he can go from sorting lambs to donning full firefighting gear and racing along roads of the Gower Peninsula in the fire engine, ready to tackle any blaze.
Remote rural areas like Llanrhidian on the South Wales coast rely heavily on volunteer and on-call firefighters such as Dan.
In fact, he is one of six that work in agriculture and serve as part of the 12-strong crew at Reynoldston Fire Station, where he is retained for 120 hours each week.
Since joining the crew a year-and-a-half ago, Dan has responded to more than 100 emergencies.
While most of these incidents involve wild grass fires, he also attends to beach bin fires, which are frequent in the popular tourist destination.
Weekly drills
Upon joining, he underwent two weeks of rigorous training in Swansea, during which he learned how to use fire equipment safely.
He now participates in weekly fire training drills to keep his skills sharp – although he maintains there is no better training than real-life emergencies.
He says the role is flexible, which means he can book time off in preparation for busy periods on the farm.
“You can book on and off by phoning an automated number. Next week, I need to take lambs to the abattoir, so I’ll book off half-an-hour before I leave and check back in when I return.
“It has never got in the way of the farm,” he explains.
© Adobe Stock
Dan, a finalist in Farmers Weekly‘s 2025 Sheep Farmer of the Year, runs a flock of 1,000 mostly Easycare ewes across 101ha (250 acres) alongside his father, Roland, and brother, Will.
Sheep graze on the Llanrhidian saltmarshes year-round, and their lamb is sold under the family’s Gower Salt Marsh brand.
Proud to serve
Dan finds the position hugely rewarding and encourages other farmers to consider getting involved.
“It gets me off the farm, and I have great camaraderie with the other firefighters. I think everyone should do their bit for their local community, and it’s something I take pride in.”
He says few people are aware that the fire service operates a first responder crew that is often the first on the scene of accidents or medical emergencies. They provide critical first aid until the ambulance arrives.
He is set to undergo additional training for this role in the coming months and believes it is an invaluable skill, especially in case of accidents on the farm.
