I had the great pleasure of visiting Fernhill Farm and interviewing Andy Wear the farmer who looks after livestock, I was keen to ask him about his experience with Holistic Management and Ecological Outcome Verification that is coming up to the 5th year of measurement this year and how it has impacted his business but what I didn't expect was for him to share about how this way of farming has impacted his mental hleath and sense of fulfillment in a very positive way.
The mental health crisis in farming
Farmers face a range of challenges that significantly impact their mental health, stemming from financial pressures, workload and isolation, and regulatory changes. The financial strain of fluctuating market prices, high levels of debt, and declining incomes can lead to sustained anxiety; in 2019, the average debt per farm in England was £234,400, highlighting the economic burden many farmers endure. Additionally, the demanding nature of farming often results in long working hours and social isolation. Surveys reveal that 61% of farmers work at least 10 hours a day, with 15% working up to 14 or 15 hours daily, frequently without taking time off, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and fatigue. To compound these issues, ongoing changes to agricultural policies and administrative requirements create additional stress and uncertainty, leaving farmers navigating complex and ever-shifting regulatory landscapes. Together, these factors underscore the need for targeted support and resources to address the mental health challenges within the farming community.
A study by the Farm Safety Foundation (also known as Yellow Wellies) revealed that 95% of UK farmers under the age of 40 consider poor mental health to be one of the biggest hidden problems facing the industry today. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) conducted the Big Farming Survey in 2021, which found that 36% of farmers in the UK are probably or possibly depressed, and 47% are experiencing varying levels of anxiety.
Changing the paradigm
Farming should be one of the most spiritually fulfilling and psychologically rewarding careers, as it embodies a deep connection to nature and the cyclical rhythms of life as well as providing the ultimate service to humanity of the gift of sustenance, it's been said that the second most profound way we can give pleasure to another human is by feeding them!
However, the industrialisation of agriculture, economic pressures, and societal disconnection have stripped this vocation of its inherent meaning, leading to stress, isolation, and mental health challenges. From a psychological perspective, farmers often face a loss of autonomy and purpose, key factors for well-being, while spiritual fulfilment is diminished by disconnection from the land and the larger ecosystem.
Farmers following conventional methods are locked into a pattern determined by calendar dates set by suppliers of veterinary medicine and the various chemicals prescribed by conventional industry rather than reacting to the rhythms of nature as the years change and vary, this creates a loss of agency and feeling of being stuck, stuck in a negative feedback loop of increasing debt and often reduced productivity and profits
A holistic approach can address these issues by integrating regenerative practices that restore the balance between human activity and nature, fostering a sense of stewardship and interconnectedness. Such practices not only improve ecological health but also provide farmers with visible, tangible results that affirm their efforts, enhancing their psychological resilience and sense of purpose. Furthermore, cultivating community networks and emphasising mindfulness in farming can reinvigorate the spiritual dimension of their work, allowing farmers to reconnect with the sacred act of nurturing life and feeding the world.
Livestock farmers in particular when attuned to a holistic approach, develop an intimate connection with their animals, recognising their happiness as an essential part of the farm’s harmony. This connection is not merely transactional but deeply relational, rooted in observing and understanding the subtle cues of animal well-being—contentment in their behaviours, the vibrancy of their movements, and the balance of their natural cycles.
This mirrors an ethic of care, where the farmer becomes a steward rather than an exploiter, responding to the needs of the animals in ways that honour their intrinsic value. As the animals thrive, the farmer experiences a profound sense of purpose and fulfilment, creating a positive feedback loop. This reciprocity—where the flourishing of one nurtures the happiness of the other—reflects a broader truth about interconnectedness: in nurturing life holistically, farmers nurture their own, embodying a sense of unity and shared vitality that aligns with the deeper rhythms of nature.
So are nature based farmers really happier?
In a word, yes.
Research on Green Social Prescribing in the UK, which involves engaging individuals in nature-based activities, demonstrated improvements in mental health and well-being. Participants reported increased happiness and reduced anxiety after participating in such activities, highlighting the positive impact of nature-based engagements on mental health. -
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In the film below, Andy reflects gently on his transformative experience with Holistic Management, revealing how this approach has transformed not only his farm but also his life. He shares the satisfaction of knowing he is not merely improving the care of his animals or meeting the needs of his customers, but also enriching his own existence and purpose. By finding a balance between profitability, sustainability, and personal well-being, Andy has cultivated a deeper sense of happiness and reclaimed one of life’s most precious assets—time and time spent in happiness!
