Charlie Beaty: Let’s smash the farming stereotypes

I’m a firm believer that stereotypes form off the back of a little bit (or sometimes a lot) of fact. Unfortunately, farmers don’t have the best image.

“Get off my land” seems to be the most common phrase used when an impersonation of a farmer is given, along with the miming of a shotgun and a scowling face.

It’s said in jest, yes, but it’s clearly stemmed from somewhere, sometime.

See also: Charlie Beaty – government needs to get some mud on its boots

About the author

Charlie Beaty

Harper Adams University graduate Charlie has a keen interest in the livestock sector, being heavily involved in the beef and sheep enterprises at home, as well as the arable and contracting side of things. The 25-year-old is an active member of Warwickshire YFC and loves travelling the world.

Read more articles by Charlie Beaty

I’m a “people person”, most of the time. I love to chat (too much, some will say) and I’ll happily talk the ear off anybody who will listen, particularly about the farm or my favourite cow.

One of the most satisfying things I’ve done since returning to the farm, is set up our Facebook page.

It’s a direct link to the local villagers, letting us convey the “what, why and how” of what we’re doing, explaining why it’s so important that the countryside code is adhered to, and advertising our own home-grown beef and lamb boxes.

We welcome the local Cubs and Scouts to visit the lambing shed, and it’s lovely how many of the parents will hang around to have a look and ask questions when it comes to collection time.

I went to school in the local town, where none of my peers had any real sort of links to the countryside, and the complete lack of understanding of food production shocked me.

I’d gone to the local primary school, where I could see fields that we farmed from the playground.

But the lack of education in the school curriculum would almost suggest that food is a luxury, rather than a necessity for us to function and survive.

In Year 10, there was half a page of the geography textbook dedicated to agriculture, and in biology we briefly heard of Dolly, the cloned sheep. That, I’m afraid, was as good as it got.

So, it’s down to us. The sustainability of our industry lies not in the hands of the government, but with consumers.

We need to provide them with the facts, to help them make sustainable dietary choices. There are some fantastic schemes out there to get involved with, such as Leaf’s Farmer Time, or the NFU’s work putting speakers in schools.

We’re farming to the highest environmental and welfare standards globally – let’s shout about it.