Farmers and members of their families are invited to a series of suppers organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society as part of a dedicated programme of activity to promote wellbeing in the farming community.
‘Supper On Us’ is an initiative of the Society’s Yorkshire Rural Support Network to encourage members of the farming community to come together in the spirit of friendship and enjoy the company of like-minded people at relaxed occasions hosted by the Society at locations across Yorkshire.
Featuring a free supper, as well as quiz hosted by the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, the next Suppers on Us are in Pocklington at Kilnwick Percy Golf Club on Monday 10th March, in Pickering at Cottage Leas Hotel on Wednesday 23rd April and in Pontefract at Farmer Copleys on Wednesday 7th May. Supper is served from 7pm.
Allister Nixon, CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “We want to give farmers a good reason to get off the farm and socialise at a time when we know there continues to be challenges for the industry. Getting away from it all for a few hours can be a useful way to unwind and get a fresh perspective. You don’t need to be a member of the Society to join us for the evening. All farmers will be made to feel very welcome.”
While Supper On Us is free, a £5 reservation fee is required upon booking. This can then be redeemed against bar purchases on the night.
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society and its farming networks are also supporting wellbeing by working with industry partners to hold farming-focused mental health awareness and practical first aid courses.
Free places on a half-day mental health awareness course are currently offered to farmers, and people who work with farmers, at Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart, Otley on Thursday 27th February. Delivered by RABI (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution), it will teach basic tools to recognise signs of poor mental health, whilst recognising the importance of self-care.
Another event follows on Thursday 27th March, with a behind-the-scenes visit to Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes, specifically for those aged 50 and over who are working in agriculture or are semi-retired or retired from the agricultural industry. This is the latest in a series of visits organised by the Yorkshire Rural Support Network’s Yorkshire Farmers Club, an initiative providing opportunities for this particular demographic to get-together, forge connections and learn something new about the industry.
Some of these activities are being delivered as part of a two-year programme to support farmer welfare using £150,000 in funding secured from the DEFRA Farmer Welfare Fund. Working in partnership, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, The Farmer Network Ltd, Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services and Field Nurse are delivering activities to support farmer welfare using the fund.
Allister said: “As a farming charity, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society does so much more than organise and host the Great Yorkshire Show every year. Our work continues all year-round, with a focus on supporting professional development and wellbeing of all involved in farming across the North of England, as well as encouraging and supporting innovation within agriculture.”
To better tell this story, the Society and its family of businesses on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, and the Great Yorkshire Show, have undergone a rebrand at the start of 2025. The refresh creates more synergy between all parts of the Showground’s commercial businesses and events, giving a clearer message about the charitable work of the Society whilst making the Showground an even more attractive place to hold a huge variety of events.
All profits from the newly renamed The Great Yorkshire Events Centre (formerly known as two separate venues, Pavilions of Harrogate and Yorkshire Event Centre), Fodder farm shop and café and Harrogate Caravan Park, fund the Society’s year-round work to support and champion agriculture.
To book a place at the Supper On Us events, mental health awareness course or Yorkshire Farmers Club visit, please visit yas.co.uk/farming-news
