When you work with farmers every day, you hear and see things that others often miss.

A quiet word in the yard, a throwaway comment at the kitchen table, or a late-night call about paperwork can sometimes reveal much more than it seems on the surface.

Behind those moments, there can be stress, pressure, and farmers carrying more than they let on.

In their day-to-day engagements and work, agri-professionals and service providers bring much more than technical expertise.

They are often a listening ear, a trusted presence, and sometimes the first person a farmer might open up to.

In response to the insights highlighted above, alongside recognising the evidenced-based links between a healthy, less stressed farmer, being a safer farmer, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Department of Health, and the Health Service Executive funded the On Feirm Ground 2 (OFG2) programme.

The initiative was born out of a shared commitment to farmer wellbeing, and the vital role that agri-professionals and service providers already play.

Through On Feirm Ground 2, agri-professionals and service providers - in a welcoming, engaging, and peer learning setting - reflect and share from their lived and professional experience, on how best they might use their natural abilities to support a farmer who may be in duress.   

The training provides the tools and confidence to be all EARS when supporting farmers in distress, through normalising such conversations, by Engaging, Acknowledging, Reassuring and Signposting to relevant services.

Engage: Meeting farmers where they are at

Agri-professionals are in a unique position. Every day, they meet farmers where life and work intertwine - in a yard, a shed, a field, or the milking parlour.

These are the spaces where farmers are their real selves, and often where they open up and talk freely.

On Feirm Ground 2 builds on such natural connections. It focuses on spotting those moments that matter - the change in tone, the offhand comment, or the silence that says more than words.

OFG2 offers supportive, conversational, practical ways to begin those small but meaningful conversations in a natural and respectful way.

OFG2 is not encouraging agri-professionals to take on counselling roles through stepping outside their professional role.

It simply highlights the importance of actively listening, recognising signs of stress, and creating space where a farmer feels seen and heard, (sometimes for the first time in a while).

Vitally, the programme provides the engagement tools mentioned above alongside a designated Signposting Toolkit.

Acknowledge: Every word counts

As all of us know from life, sometimes the most powerful thing one can do is acknowledge the truth of an actual situation, simply recognizing what a farmer is going through can be vital.

Stress, financial worries, weather pressures, or family strain - these are real and common challenges.

In the OFG2 workshops, we explore how acknowledgement can validate a farmer’s experience without trying to ‘fix it.’

Recognising their reality is vital and showing empathy – such skills can make a huge difference in how supported a farmer feels.

Also important to know: OFG2 doesn’t just focus on farmers. It also aims to support agri-professionals themselves.  

The programme recognises that agri-professionals, through their work, may often be meeting people under pressure and it can take its toll.

That is why, through the training, we equip participants with ways of looking after their own wellbeing, so they can continue to show up for others.

Reassure: You do not have to have all the answers

One of the biggest pressures agri-professionals may face is feeling like they have to solve every problem.

In truth, reassurance can go a long way. Farmers do not expect all the answers. Often, what is valued most is the presence of someone who listens without judgement.

OFG2 helps participants build confidence in offering reassurance while keeping healthy boundaries.

It is about kindness that fits comfortably within a professional role - knowing that being there, even briefly, can make a lasting impact.

Signpost: Knowing where to turn

There will be times when listening and reassurance aren’t enough, and that is okay.

The important thing is knowing what support exists and where to direct someone who might need more help.

Stephen Mbwilka, coordinator of On Feirm Ground 2, said: “The people who work with farmers every day may be best placed to normalise a challenging circumstance through a conversational approach and support their health and wellbeing.

Through the programme, participants become familiar with a wide range of local and national services, so when a farmer is struggling, they know exactly where to point them for help.

Why OFG2 Matters Now

Farming in Ireland and across the world continues to evolve, bringing with it both opportunities and challenges.

The long working hours, changing markets, potential labour isolation, and shifting family dynamics, all take their toll.

Many farmers find it difficult to ask for help directly, but they may open up with those they already trust.

That is why agri-professionals and service providers are so vital in promoting farmer health.

By being all EARS, you can make a meaningful difference - not just for farmers, but for rural communities as a whole.

Get involved

OFG2 workshops are practical, interactive, and designed for people who work directly with farmers. Participants leave with supportive tools, greater confidence, and a network of support.

If you are an agri-professional or service provider, why not take the opportunity to be part of a positive initiative that supports your work and strengthens farming communities from the ground up?

As agri-professional John O Toole highlights from his experience of participating in the training, the workshops "builds great confidence in knowing what to do when you encounter farmers overwhelmed by numerous challenges.

"An excellent opportunity to meet other professionals," he said.