Mid Leinster Farmer Wellbeing Programme Final Report

The final report of the Irish Mid-Leinster Farmer Wellbeing Programme EIP chronicles the project's 21-month journey, detailing its background, operations, outcomes, and recommendations. This initiative aimed to build lasting relationships with hard-to-reach farmers, fostering connections that would endure beyond the project's lifespan. Participants were empowered to shift their mindsets, build personal resilience, and embrace growth through a carefully designed programme. The project addressed critical topics like talk therapy, peer learning, and adventure-based activities. It also emphasised the preservation and promotion of traditional skills, such as hedge laying, hedgerow establishment, and dry stone wall building. Additional modules focused on essential modern skills, including digital literacy, strategies for managing change in the context of evolving policies and regulations, and effective time management. Set against the backdrop of rural population decline, the programme addressed the challenges faced by isolated farming communities. The migration of younger generations to urban areas has left many rural areas with ageing populations, heightened isolation, and increased mental health concerns. Farmers face mounting stress due to shrinking farm-gate prices, rising input costs, and growing bureaucratic demands. The COVID-19 pandemic further compounded these challenges. By addressing these pressing issues, the project aimed to enhance the welwellbeingd resilience of farmers, equipping them with the tools to adapt to a changing world while preserving their cultural and agricultural heritage. ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtwGdX4Xlzg