Farm income: what’s the answer?

Acknowledging much that influences farm income is out of a farmer’s control, they highlight the importance of government and industry recognising their role in ensuring a sustainable future for farming.

“Farmers have forever and a day been at the mercy, as it were, of political influence at national level and how that really affects what we can do,” explains Geoff.

Direct selling, increasing farmgate prices and addressing tax policies are all considered.

“We need to treat farmers ethically as human beings and work out how to give them a fair return,” says Matt.

In the ‘bonus’ episode, Matt and Geoff return to look further into the complex challenges facing farmers trying to secure a viable farm income. 

 “I get quite annoyed at this idea that farming is a lifestyle…..farmers are primarily businesspeople and the farms are businesses, and this argument of the lifestyle being used as a justification for low pay sits very uncomfortably with me,” says Geoff.

Discussing the alarming statistics of food insecurity in the UK and the potential long-term consequences of agricultural transition, they suggest simply expecting consumers to pay more is unrealistic and emphasise the need to secure fair compensation for the services farmers provide beyond food production. 

Episode Showstoppers

1.     Farmers are not a homogenous group which influences how situations are experienced by individuals; be mindful of this. 

2.     Farming is fulfilling but it is not enough; it is and needs to be a business and farmers appreciate this being recognised by others. 

3.     Change is constant and a process and while being open-minded to this helps, farmers have always had to cope with change and live with it every day.

4.     Engaging with consumers helps understanding of how others see farmers and farming.

Listen to the full main episode and bonus below - also available via Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

About our guests

Professor Matt Lobley is a rural social scientist and Co-Director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter. An area of expertise is in the mental health and wellbeing of farm households and succession issues on family farms.

Geoff Williams farms on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Becoming disillusioned and depressed about conventional farming, he transitioned to regenerative practices. He has also trained as a counsellor to support other farmers’ mental wellbeing.