Prince William backs farmers facing “most uncertain” time amid financial challenges

The Prince of Wales put the spotlight on rural communities and sustainability by meeting farmers and local residents to understand the opportunities and challenges facing they are facing

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The Prince of Wales spoke about the need to highlight rural communities and sustainability during his visit to North Yorkshire today(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Prince William was told by farmers that they are facing the “most uncertain” period in a long time as he chatted with them over tea and cakes.

The Prince of Wales said they have “a lot on your plate” as he heard about their efforts to get new income streams. And he later joked with father-and-son farmers that “not every generation I see” has a good relationship.

He visited Crow Tree Farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, which is run by Adam Hunter, 37, and his wife Leanne. They recently created a Buckbarn as part of their diversification efforts, which can house up to 27 visitors like walkers who want to holiday there.

James Metcalfe, 23, and dad Philip, 53, from neighbouring Usha Gap Farm were also there to meet him, as was Michael Waggett, 36, and wife Hannah, 36, from nearby Satron Farm.

The Prince was met by Lord Lieutenant Jo Roper, who introduced him to the farmers. He asked them if they are “feeling good about farming at the moment”. Adam said: “Uncertain. It’s the most uncertain it’s been for a long time.”

 

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The Prince of Wales met well wishers during a visit to the River Bain Hydro plant in the village of Bainbridge in North Yorkshire(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

 

William asked: “How easy is it for you to diversify? I’m conscious that word gets used a lot and I’m conscious it’s not as easy for some. Adam told him: “It’s tricky. Once someone’s done one thing you kind of end up competing in the same areas.”

They told him how James and Philip had installed a campsite into their farm, and Adam’s farm had created the Bunkbarn for the likes of walkers and holidaymakers to stay in.

William told them it’s hard for them because: “You have got to be farmers, accountants, entrepreneurs, environmentalists. You’ve got a lot on your plate.”

He asked if they feel that pressure, which Philip said yes to. Adam said: “We are farmers at heart. That’s what we want to be doing. It’s all the other stuff we have to do.”

He also asked them about networking, and Adam said: “We have a good community up here.” James added: “We do a lot of working together.” William said later: “It’s a constant labour of love for you guys.”

The Prince got out a box of cakes he bought for them from a nearby bakery which they had with a cup of tea. They included a Twix cake, a raspberry cheesecake slice and a brownie.

He joked: “The spread of cakes down there was simply exceptional. This thing here, that is just phenomenal. That is a Twix mountain, calorie grenade.

“I had my eye on the chocolate brownie. I said ‘help me out with a bunch of farmers’, and they said ‘here you go’. That Twix thing is insane. If I ate that I’d be in the gym for a week.” Asked how he likes his tea, he asked for milk and for it to be done “the Yorkshire way”.

 

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The Prince spent time with farmers from across Swaledale in North Yorkshire to find out how they are increasingly seeking to diversify their income in order to build long‑term financial resilience(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

 

William also asked them about their mental health, telling them: “The remoteness of the job gets forgotten about. You are connected but you’re out in the fields, out doing all the hard work.”

Adam said: “Up here we’re a bit more mixed up together. Our land and that is all mixed up. But you get further down the valley, you can be a farmer and not know your neighbours or not see your neighbours for days on end.”

William said: “My worry is that once you get in that isolated cycle it’s very hard to come out of it. Internally you’re a bit like I’ve lost the touch here, I’ll do a bit more work, and before you know it you’re completely cut off. It’s very easy for anyone to get yourself in an isolated spot and then how do you get yourself out of there?”

James said: “It sounds silly but we made a group chat. A lot of farmers down here. Simple things like that. Showing people what you’re doing and talking to people.”

Adam joked: “We all have daft competitions, who’s having the worst day. In farming sometimes you think it’s just you. But there’s always someone else having the same problem or worse.”

William said: “Sharing those problems really helps and realising that you’re not alone.” He later added: “People forget how much time you have to spend on your farm. If you’re not careful you can spend weeks, months, not off the farm.”

 

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Villagers came out today to tell Prince William of the need for support from the government to help the local farming communities(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

 

Asked if they feels positive about the future, Matthew said: “Farming is always for next year. Everything you do is for next year. Bad lambing, we’ll try again next year, try something different.”

James added: “You’ve got to be hopeful but realistic at the same time.” They then admired the stunning views across the dales before heading down to the Bunkbarn.

Adam told him of the self-catering accommodation: “We’ve had groups of cyclists, walkers, stag dos, hen dos – but other types than what we go on!” Wills joked: “I’m not judging.”

After the visit, Adam said: “He’s really genuine. He understood the area.” Matthew added: “We don’t want to be the last generation but at the moment it could be a possibility.”

James said: “He understood a lot more than you would think.” And Hannah said “it felt like he was on our side. He was knowledgeable about it”.

Asked about what the main message they wanted the Prince to take home from the visit, Adam said: “Government support is so important. It’s crucial to keeping us all here and keeping this managed landscape looking like this. This is what the people come to see. It’s natural but it’s managed. We’re the cheapest park keepers the government can have.”

Matthew added: “Farming doesn’t stay within a level of sustainability that we can stay here, once we’ve gone there’s no one coming to do it.”

Asked if he took the issues on board, Philip said: “I think he knew it before he came. I don’t think it was news to him. I think he understood it before he came here.”