An innovative project is bringing together farmers aged over 65 who might not otherwise get out to social events.

The Rural Support Plough-On project is for those who are perhaps less active on the farm and would enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with neighbouring farmers while also learning about rural heritage and history as well as keeping up to date with farming developments.

According to the Rural Support charity, isolation and loneliness are a growing concern within Northern Ireland, especially within the farming community.

Rural Support developed the project called Plough On to improve mental and physical wellbeing through socialisation and participation in rural heritage/farming-based activities and excursions.

One of the successful groups established was based at Belcoo led by Rural Support mentor, Alex Cromie. Up to 20 farmers have been participating in events over the past year including a number of outings to farm related events. One of their activities was availing of the Farm Families Health Van staffed by nurses where individual farmers have appointments for basic medical check-ups and where they receive advice.

In Fermanagh, one of the main events for the Belcoo group which is based at Lakeland Community Care, was visiting Enniskillen Campus of CAFRE, formerly the agricultural college which many of them were familiar with but now providing equine education through to degree level.

CAFRE Enniskillen Campus currently provides equine education and knowledge transfer ranging from level 2 (Apprenticeship/Diploma) to Level 6 qualifications (Honours Degree) with part-time agriculture courses and farrier courses also delivered at the Campus

The CAFRE Enniskillen Campus estate comprises 62 hectares which includes a range of agri-environment habitats and equine facilities. The Campus equine breeding, racing and equitation facilities support delivery of CAFRE’s education and knowledge transfer programmes and the land has been developed as a platform to demonstrate a range of enhancement works which are promoted under DAERA’s agri-environment schemes.

The group were met by Jayne Mooney, Senior Technologist (Equine) who is supported by Gerard Nicholl and Shelley took them on a guided tour of the campus. This included visits to the Farrier Unit where they watched the students preparing various different types of horse shoes using both coke and gas forges and the Breeding Unit where they had the opportunity to see some of the mares and foals up close.

On the environmental side,there was a chance to see and discuss hedgerow management, the importance of traditional orchard restoration, growing plants and flowers for the benefit of wildlife and beekeeping.

It was then back to the Racing Unit where a few of the group were brave enough to have a go on the Horse Simulators before finishing off with lunch.

Earlier in the year, the farmers from the group visited the Cavan Machinery Show to see the latest models of tractors and machinery. They also visited Marble Arch Caves and had various speakers at their monthly meetings. They have also enjoyed talks such as from Pat O'Doherty, producer of the famous Black Bacon, a local accountant and a doctor who gave advice on business health and looking after physical and mental health.

One of their highlights at the end of 2022 was a dinner before Christmas which coincided with the culmination of a genealogy project. Full story in next week's issue.