Lincolnshire-based agri co-op Openfield has announced a partnership with agricultural charity the Farming Community Network (FCN) to help provide wellbeing support to its members.
The grain market and arable inputs service – the UK’s seventh-largest co-op by turnover – says the move comes “as the entire agricultural sector continues to face into challenging times and funding changes”.
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It adds that partnership aims to open up direct lines of communication between farmers who are heading towards or experiencing difficulties and FCN, to help them manage their way through theiir problems and move forward.
The partnership also “celebrates the hard work of all involved in British farming and highlights the integral role Openfield members play in supplying British grain to some of the biggest and most well-known food and drink brands in the UK”, it said.
Richard Kaye, Openfield’s head of brand and communications, said: “FCN has some fantastic resources to help support all farmers in difficult times. We’re very pleased to be able to partner with FCN to raise awareness of what they do and help put any of our members needing their help in touch with a professional and supportive team.”
Georgina Lamb, senior partnerships manager at FCN, said: “Supporting our world-class farmers through the changes ahead requires a collaborative approach. By working alongside Openfield as part of this partnership, we hope to highlight the many ways our charity can support people across agriculture and ensure farmers know they are part of a supportive community that is here to listen, talk and help.”
