A year as a farm Apprentice
RHYS STONLEY
Approaching the halfway mark in my 2-year placement here at Old Plaw Hatch Farm, the coming of the shorter days has allowed me to reflect on what has been one hell of a ride this past year.
Since arriving at the farm in November 2022, I have observed the health and wellbeing of the animals at Plaw Hatch and how many of them are incredibly charismatic, stand-out individuals who are instrumental to the success of this farm. This is also reflected in all of the farm team. I am simply honoured to be able to work with and learn from such individuals, both 4 legged and 2. There are many moments along this journey that I’d like to share.
Sunday shifts, which are usually peaceful days, when: the shop is closed, the resident pet chickens are roaming and piglets are seemingly forever finding ways out of their pens and snuffling in the hedgerows. Don’t be shocked when you see them on the track, we know they are out there!
Sundays allow me to take our volunteers out to see the off-site areas that we farm, to visit the sheep flock and “flerd” (a mix of sheep, the flock bit, and cows, the herd bit) that they wouldn’t often get to see during the normal working week. This gives me an opportunity to share the enjoyment in being with our flock and having some company that you don’t often get when out in the fields.
This past summer was unfathomably wet for the most part. When day-break was just around the corner, the cows didn’t seem to mind the horizontal rain nor would they rush for the farm apprentice with his head torch on, grass up to his knees, already soaked to the bone (it’s not even 5am yet) saying to them in a gentle voice, “Come on then.”
Alas! It be milking time…
During those adverse conditions collecting the cows, which happened more than once I can assure you, I would often smile to myself and in my head say, “I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else in the world right now,” than in that field, asking the cows to come with me.
I meant it. Call me crazy? I call it grounding.
As Movember is upon us, still waiting for my moustache to grow on the 15th day, I see no better time to talk about men’s mental health, its relationship with farming and how it has affected me.
I did not make my industry change over a year ago as a solution to ridding me of my struggle with mental health. I did it to follow a dream, with a passion for good quality food and trying to facilitate creating a more harmonious world. However, during my relatively short time here, my wellbeing and sense of connection to the world has greatly increased.
Farming is no 9-5 job, it comes with hardships and struggles, which were a challenge I had to face on-top of my anxiety. I went through places of self-doubt and the continuity of my depression that I have lived alongside for so many years. I can tell you now with conviction of the benefits of putting something before you and how it drives change from within.
When I come across animals that need love, care and attention before me, it empowers me to navigate my emotional health which has been a key turning point in ending my prescription medication and finalising my counselling sessions.
So, creds to the dairy herd who keep me on my toes, as mighty as they may be, they’re the real managers here. They will not be rushed into the milking parlour, they will be selective about where they eat, what cluster they will be milked from and they will jostle for the prime sleeping location at the end of the day. I’d honestly rather cross our amazing shop manager Jenny than cross one of Plaw Hatch’s cows. Sorry Jenny.
Here’s to more life.
