New Roots to Resilience programme challenges farmer thinking

Farmers, industry stakeholders, and the wider agricultural community are invited to join us in embracing our new Roots to Resilience programme and its goal to empower farmers and build a more resilient future for British agriculture.

Today, we unveiled our innovative systems-based knowledge exchange programme, Roots to Resilience, challenging farmers to stop thinking in black and white and unlock their full potential.

This systems-based approach recognises that agriculture is not just about individual people, crops or livestock but involves a multitude of factors, relationships, and feedback loops that influence each other and the entire system.

Head of Engagement for Beef & Lamb, Samantha Charlton, said:

"Our levy payers are at the heart of everything we do at AHDB, and Roots to Resilience is about shining a light on the people within farming businesses.

"It can be challenging for farmers to focus on the future and invest in themselves when their time and brain space is filled with daily tasks and problem-solving. We want to challenge their thinking and help them reach their long-term goals by looking at the entire system instead of focusing on technical applications alone. We understand that every farmer and every farm is different and that the one-size-fits-all approaches are outdated and rarely successful."

The new programme kicks off with a three-day workshop for up to 50 farmers running from 13 to 15 December in Sutton Coldfield, incorporating part of the renowned Ranch Management Consultants (RMC) 'Ranching for Profit' course, which will be presented by RMC owner Dallas Mount.

Dallas has worked with thousands of farmers and ranchers across the USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia to position their businesses for economic profit and ecological health.

Attendees will be able to develop a bespoke action plan for their farm businesses, including identifying worry areas to address, communication at home and within the business, and establishing clear goals and a shared vision for attendees, their families, and their businesses.

They will also be able to take part in four quarterly virtual 'check-in' sessions in 2024 with Dallas, where he will continue to support them on their journeys to healthy land, happy families and profitable businesses.

A two-day workshop will also run for industry consultants ahead of the farmer-specific session from 11 to 12 December, focusing on developing their understanding of the new systems-based approach and discussing how they will work with the involved farmers and us to motivate positive change.

Samantha said: 

"The farmer workshop in December will give delegates the opportunity to step away from practical farming for three days and focus on long-term planning. It is very much about focusing on people and what they want to achieve, not just in their businesses but in their lives, as we know how intrinsically linked the two are.

"The workshop will play a pivotal role in not only providing those attending with bespoke action plans for their businesses but in equipping us at AHDB with greater insight into the topics that our levy payers want and need more help with, so we can deliver the best value for money in terms of the support services we offer."