Community… how do you make yours better?

Community… how do you make yours better?

Your dreams will have greater meaning when they are tied to the betterment of your community’

Community… what does that mean to you? Are you part of a community? Do you live and work in one? What does YOUR community look like?

I look to the farming community, one I am proud to be part of. Growing up in rural Wales being part of the community is just how it was, it’s the way of life.

I mean you would fart, and people would know about it, which can be annoying but actually looking back, it shows that people have your back. Yes, there is the gossip and scandal but when the chips are down, they are there for you.

The farming community comes together for the good times and the bad. The local show, YFC events, fundraisers and concerts; making sure livestock gets to the market when someone is ill, and the snow is cleared ensuring the funeral of a loved and respected member of the community can take place.

These people are not living in streets but miles apart, with fields, rivers and hills separating them but they are united by the sense of community, a field in August the village hall, the vestry. United by friendship, working together and coming together to celebrate the highs and the lows. A wave as you drive past each other, stooping for a quick chat, maybe there is more time or maybe the need is greater in these rural areas to take the time for community, because they depend on it, without it, it can be a lonely place.

Community is being part of where you live, it can be found on-line with your tribe, it is found on the allotment, Am Dram the community centre.

How do you better your community? Is it through the work you do? Have you given back to your industry or the community you live in?

Humans need humans and we see this more than ever at the moment. We need that interaction, and when that interaction doesn’t happen, we lose ourselves, our sense of purpose our direction.

By reaching out, from our isolation, from you heads, we can make a huge difference to those around us, it might be 1 person, it might be a 100, but by making a difference to others you will make a difference to yourself.

How are you going to do this? How are you bettering YOUR community?

Get the BEST from your business photoshoot!

Get the BEST from your business photoshoot!

People buy from people, so making sure you and your brand stand out and install trust in your potential customers is key.  But great photos don’t just happen! You can hire a great photographer but you and your staff need to be photo shoot ready, and My Rural Tribe has these tips to ensure you get the best photos for you and your business! 

My Rural Tribe

 

Stocks Farm apple orchard

1. Tell your staff!

You might think this is obvious but in truth, I have turned up at some businesses and the staff weren’t aware I was coming to do a photoshoot, or they knew I was coming buy didn’t realise THEY were having their picture taken!  This puts them on the back foot, can make some feel uncomfortable and they may not have done their hair, put on makeup on worn the best outfit!  

DO Tell your team a photographer is coming and that they WILL be having their photo taken!

2. What to wear

Are you a branded company or are YOU your company? What you wear is very important. 

a – Branded Clothing

Wear your branded logo clothing, is this a shirt, jumper, fleece, gillet? Should all your staff be in branded clothing?  Is the branded clothing suitable for the season? If it is a lovely summers day, wearing the branded fleece is not appropriate! This might be a good time to invest in some nice, seasonal, branded clothing such as a polo t-shirt, shirt or gillet.

DO wear your branded clothing. 

b -Fashions logos / ‘Humorous’ t-shirt’s

NO! Just No! Do not wear other branded logos or ‘humorous‘ or slogan t-shirts – not only are they off brand, they will date and age you.

DO Keep the clothing neutral or ‘on brand’.

c – Brand Colours

Have you a brand colour scheme head office wishes you to wear? Ensure your staff are wearing brand colours, if it is required for your company. If not, a ‘blank colour’ is great, white or blue shirt, something ‘neutral’ that enhances you! 

d – Colour scheme 

Does your brand have a colour theme or palette? You can bring these colour choices into your outfit. Love hot pink? Wear your clothes as a blank background and then inject the colours by wearing the shoes, the scarf, or have your pen and notebook in these colours?

DO wear colours that compliment you and that you are comfortable with. 

AVOID all black… it will potentially limit certain backdrops and locations – you might get lost…now we see you, now we don’t! 

You ARE your brand and you ARE representing the company your work for!

A photoshoot is an investment into you and your company, make the most of the time you have with the photographer! Getting your branding on-point is THE most important thing to do!

Make sure head office has sent you the right branded clothing or make sure you are representing yourself for your own company!

My Rural Tribe

 

                                                                           Tom – Lely Stafford Centre

Want to learn more? Sign up to my emails at www.myruraltribe.com and I can keep you updated!

Want to book a business photo shoot? Hurrah! Get in touch today – all details on the website – www.myruraltribe.com

Sian Mercer

Sian Mercer

Photography, Listener of thoughts, asker of questions, Writer of Blogs

I am Sian Mercer, the writer of these blogs, which are based on thoughts and ideas, quetions I have asked, feelings I have had and wonders which have been answered.

I am a photographer, please check out my website www.myruraltribe.com to see my work and book your own photoshoot, for your rural business or family. 

If you would like to be part of my blogs please do Get In Touch! I would love to hear from you, visit your farm and hear all about what you are doing.  Or if you have some ideas of who I should visit, please do let me know! 

Get the BEST from your business photoshoot!

Farming dreams really do come true…


Ben and Julia with their daughter.

Farming… is one of those things…. You can’t explain it, it’s something you have always wanted to do and other jobs just never match up to it…. They’re good but they’re just not farming. My Rural Tribe met with Ben Jones, who’s whose dream of having his own farm has come true!

The farming ‘bug’ got Ben Jones as a small boy, when he would holiday with his grandparents, in North Wales on their small holding, chickens, pigs and sheep; the stuff of childhood dreams…? 

Ben got on his farming path by being accepted for a place at Harper Adams, but lack farming experience led to a year’s work experience on a dairy farm in Cheshire, where he got paid, bought a car…. The lure of money overrode the desire for a degree and he went back to Cardiff.  Time in other jobs were well spent but not farming, a move to Somerset with the police force and renting a cottage with land started his own small holding, keeping chickens for eggs and lambs & pigs for met boxes. 


Ben and his herd of Dexters

Meeting up with his old school friend, Julia, led to romance and a move back to the Vale of Glamorgan! Both with a love of animals and the countryside saw them starting to rent some land and get their own sheep.  The rented land increased, but was all over the area, so a lot of driving to feed and check livestock who lambed outside. A desire to have cattle led to them buying a herd of 12 Dexters; not the first choice for everyone but this hardy small breed suited them perfectly, small, low soil impact, and most importantly they can be out-wintered as damage is minimal, plus in the 6 years they have only seen 1 calve.  The Dexters are only grass fed, with about 50 bales of silage over the winter. 

Hillside Boxed beef came as a natural progression to the lamb boxes they were already doing, as 5 of the herd were cull cows, Ben took 3 to Raglan market, it was British Blue day… as you can imagine the Dexters were lost and the price received was very low.  Something else needed to happen for the remaining 2 cows, they realised they could make more through the meat boxes.  Ben found a small family owned abattoir and butchery in Gloucestershire, who were and still are excellent, a calm environment for the cows to go through, hung for 21 days, butchered to traditional and specialist cuts, packed and labelled, means that a viable supply chain has been sourced and supported.  


The Dexter herd, they calve really easily and quickly!

The boxed beef has gone from strength to strength with a loyal following and a waiting list, 2 cattle go every month, and people can buy a specialist box with cuts of their choice, or have a Lucky Dip, which means all the meat gets used, and everyone is happy.

Spring 2019 saw the start of Ben and Julia’s dream of having their own farm, a National Trust tenancy had come up for 134 acres near Abergavenny, and they had won the tenancy.  

The National Trust have a vision for their farms, to create havens for wildlife, increase species diversity and farm in a low input way which is in tune with the environment.  This suited Ben as he had been farming low-input and his livestock have been only been pasture fed. 


Ben with his daughter and Dexter cow

The Trust have been very supportive to Ben, encouraging Performance Recording, investing in a new infrastructure and providing volunteers who have carried out wildlife and bird surveys on the farm. 

The farm is 134 acres of permanent grazing, parkland, wetlands and arable rotations which will be fallow, rye grass, herbal ley and spring barley, the livestock grazing the rotation will improve the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertiliser and the Trust want to encourage arable weeds such as poppies back onto the farm, which will benefit insects and birds. 


Dexter Cow and Calf
The stability of the 10-year tenancy means they can invest in the farm, the stock, expanding the herd and increasing beef box sales, add value to the farm experience and offer farm holidays.  This has been a great story of hard work and determination and will be an even better one to follow! 

Farming… it just gets into you…  and becomes your life. 

Sian Mercer

Sian Mercer

Photography, Listener of thoughts, asker of questions, Writer of Blogs

I am Sian Mercer, the writer of these blogs, which are based on thoughts and ideas, quetions I have asked, feelings I have had and wonders which have been answered.

I am a photographer, please check out my website www.myruraltribe.com to see my work and book your own photoshoot, for your rural business or family.

Please check out my Podcasts, asking the question ‘What makes a farmer’…. 

Check out my Rural Photography , or follow me on Instagram @my_rural_tribe to keep up to date with my walks and thoughts! 

If you would like to be part of my blogs please do Get In Touch! I would love to hear from you, visit your farm and hear all about what you are doing.  Or if you have some ideas of who I should visit, please do let me know! 

Step away from the farm….

Step away from the farm….

Last week My Rural Tribe had the pleasure of doing the conference photography for the British Cattle Breeders Club Conference. It was so great to be at this 3 day conference and workshops, to meet old friends, make new friends, and to be inspired by fantastic informative talks from industry and hear from farmers, who have A LOT of passion for what they are doing! 

It got me thinking though, what makes people attend a Conference and what are the benefits of attending a conference? Do those that attend conferences like this, broaden thier horizons more than those that don’t?

There was a wide mix of people in attendance, students, farmers, vets, industry and organisations, who all got involved on the first day, putting views across.  The beauty of a good workshop means that everyone gets a go, to input, and ultimately feedback on thier thoughts, which is invaluable for those representing the industry. 

Conversation….

Conversation and being able to voice your opinion is so important, to be given the time to speak, and more importantly, the time to think, is vital.  Often we can get stuck in routine, be it on the farm or in the office, which can lead to us becoming narrow in our minds, because we have not had the stimulation from others, face to face, to share those views, our thoughts and opinions. To be heard has become a luxury… 

Be brave… ask the question… 

Bringing industry experts together in one place, is a fantastic opportunity, you get to hear about research that is  being carried out, how this will influence your farm business, learn about new innovations and how to make positive, considerered decisions which will help your business become sustainable. I still think one of the bravest things to do at these things, is to put your hand up and ask the question… to you it may seem simple or irrelevant, to many it is what they wish they’d asked.  When I used to teach I would encourage questions, often asking the most basic ones myself… to show that we all have questions and that we can all ask them.  Only when we ask can we find the answer, only then we can make the informed decision. 

Be inspired….

I still think one of the best ways to learn and be inspired is from those that are like you, farmers, who have made changes, who have stepped away from something that wasn’t working, for them, and took a risk, took a leap of faith…. and made something new! I think quite often we look at those people and think they are different from us… that we could never do what they have done, but here is the thing.. they are just people, like us, but they made it happen, to better themselves, thier business and to make something that is sustainable. You could feel the passion that these speakers had for their farms and businesses, they were inspiring.  

Talking to other farmers who had attended the conference, they were passionate about thier business, they were keen to learn about the science behind things, the WHY, the reasons it works, why it is needed, they were taking on the knowledge, they were being sponges, soaking it all in.  It doesn’t mean they will implement all they heard, but now they can take it back to the farm and think about it, think about what else is there, think about the conversations they had, restart conversations with people they met. 

By stepping away from the farm, be it to attend a sponsored on farm event, or to pay to attend a Conference, is only ever a good thing.  Horizons will be broadened, conversations will inspire, opportunities will happen. 

I came away feeling totally inspired by all I heard and from those I met.  In this time of social media, it reminded me that the best conversations happen in person, that people are where it is at, not via the socials, yes we get the insight, but so much gets lost, so much negaitivty for the livestock industry.  This Conference and the people in it, reminded me what a great industry we have, what great people those involved in it are, and that we are bloody fantastic! 

Stop scrolling, put the phone down, and get yourself off farm…. get involved, get talking, be heard, be inspired, be outstanding! 

Sian Mercer

Sian Mercer

Photography, Listener of thoughts, asker of questions, Writer of Blogs

I am Sian Mercer, the writer of these blogs, which are based on thoughts and ideas, quetions I have asked, feelings I have had and wonders which have been answered.

I am a photographer, please check out my website www.myruraltribe.com to see my work and book your own photoshoot, for your rural business or family. 

If you would like to be part of my blogs please do Get In Touch! I would love to hear from you, visit your farm and hear all about what you are doing.  Or if you have some ideas of who I should visit, please do let me know! 

Check out my Rural Photography , or follow me on Instagram @my_rural_tribe to keep up to date with my walks and thoughts! 

She who dares…..farms…

Bryony with her sheep dog.

Bryony is a farmer… 

But once she just a farmer’s daughter, 4 years ago a sudden illness struck her Dad and the realisation, that our parents are not immortal, meant that this daughter became the farmer.  

Llanthony, 250 acres and 600 ewes, sits in the Brecon Beacons bordering England along Offas Dyke. The family of 6 have lived here for 40 years, it is place called home, a place full of heart and community. It is definitely a place to lay your hat. 

It is unique, in that it lies within the ruin of Llanthony Abbey, where you will find 2 pubs, a campsite, bunk house and private residences! A community still thrives here, swelling in holidays and high days, but still a community. 

Llanthony Abbey
Llanthony Abbey

Farm life….

To grow up on a farm is such a privilege, a childhood of freedom, roaming and working, add to that a trekking business, this would have been the stuff of childhood dreams! The 4 siblings were schooled locally until secondary, when they won scholarships to Christ’s Hospital, Horsham – a place where you learnt to work hard until all the work was done and only then the fun could begin.  This was the same at home, but the work was the horses and the fun was the local pub

shepherdess with her 4x4 with the llanthony valley behind.
The valley – a place called Home

From the heart….

After studying Zoology, Bryony came home for a year of deciding what next and to run the trekking Centre. However the lure of London and the desire to see if the streets were really paved with gold, took Bryony off to the big City, a placed she loved whilst she was there, working as PA to the Head of the CEO office of the Standard Chartered Bank.  A successful career was ahead of her, PA’s could go wherever their bosses went, wherever in the world.  However, a weekend home, a friend’s party and falling in love with Steve, meant Bryony followed her heart back to Wales.

A job with A-Z Expeditions saw her become an outdoor instructor, a job she loved, then after her babies a job in the Expedition office, which suited her love of the outdoors and  her family life.

sheep grazing on the mountain. www.myruraltribe.com

Llanthony means so much to all the family, and everyone wanted it to stay in the family, for the future generations. With 4 siblings, 1 working away and 2 with other careers, Bryony, who was at cross road, put her hand up – she would come back to farm Llanthony and take over the running from her Dad.

Being handed the reins…

Bryony is lucky, she feels blessed and honoured that her dad has handed over the reins of running the farm, is letting her make her own mark but is there to offer advice.  Being the daughter is very different from being the farmer, the one in charge, not just the one being given jobs to do.  Decisions are for her to make, with support, and Dad is always on hand to get lambs to market.

old blue tractor on the farm yard

Knowledge is power….

Bryony has taken advantage of all the courses, training, clinics and surgeries available to her through organisations such as Farming Connect.  She’s received Young Person In Agriculture grant, which she will use to fence off the mountain and buy a new handling system, she has a Management Exchange Grant, which is using to try out early lambing with 3 Performance Recorded Innovis rams, which should bring in a higher return for early lambs and getting culled ewes off farm sooner. 

She has a Farming Connect Mentor – Ben Anthony, who’s wisdom of ‘Pick 1 field as a time to improve… it will become easier as half the boundaries will have already been improved”! This has given her a plan, and reduced the stress. 

The day before I met her, she had been on a Soil Surgery, learning about getting the basics of soil pH, and benefits of P & K for the soil and how to implement them.

Llanthony mountain
Knowledge to learn from the past and the research for the future of these lands

Motivation is what you need…

Getting off the farm, attending learning days, going to market and meeting like-minded people is the motivation that Bryony needs, especially on those days that there is little to be had! A phone book that is getting fuller and a range of people to ask for advice and help or just a chat has been key for her new career. Never one to shy away from hard work, running the farm has given her a new sense of motivation and a stronger work ethic, as this time it is for her and her family, to get it right.  Where obstacles lay, such as dagging, she came up with a solution, which will become even easier with the new handling system. 

Just do it!

You’ve got to throw yourself into everything! Take advantage of all the learning and new experiences out there, then bring back these new skills and ideas to the farm. Meet new people, take part in challenges, get out the comfort zone.

Did I say I met Bryony whilst carrying a cow to the top of Snowdon….. (BG – I LOVED this trip!x)

She who Dares… most definitely farms! 

She who dares farms. Shepherdess looking over her farm.
NFU She Who Dares Farms
Mart Life

Mart Life

farmers at llanybydder livestock market selling sheep my rural tribe photography
Farmers at Llanybydder Livestock Mart

The livestock market or ‘The Mart’ is a place I am not familar with.  Even though Dad is a sheep farmer it isn’t a place I have frequented, mainly due to either being at school, uni or quite frankly, not finding the early morning start appealing! But a photographic assignment took me to Llanybydder and Tregaron, on two wet cold days.  The Mart may have been chilly, but the welcome was warm.

A smile works wonders…..

I was slightly nervous about going along, no one knew me, I would have cameras, they might be wary of me, especially in light of recent anti farming views.  But I needn’t have worried.

The key though is to smile, say hello to everyone, engage in conversation, ask them about themselves and tell them who your dad, or mum is! Boom! They relax, they smile, they ask how your parents are, and all is good! They start to relax in-front of the camera, joke with those that don’t know who I am, that I am there to check tyre tread, or make their friend look at the camera!

Thank goodness for Gwyneth… ‘do you know who this is’… she would say as she presented me to a farmer, for which I would be greeted with a blank stare – Bills daughter! A smile, a relax…. Oh so where do you live?  What are you doing?  How is Bill? Is he here

A place of community…. 

The Mart is not just a place to sell sheep or cattle, it is a place for farmers to come together, a place to meet, once a week, or once a month, yes to sell, but for much more than that.

Imagine that you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, you are surrounded by green fields, amazing landscapes, your nearest neighbour is a mile away, your farm is at the end of the track and the only person you might see in your working hours is the postman.  For many of us, we dream of such idyll, but imagine doing that everyday, with the added struggle of weather, unforeseen circumstances, ill livestock, stresses of bureaucrats… and then see how we feel about it.  THIS is why the mart is so important to the farmer.  It gets them off the farm, it gets them to others, it gets them to their friends.

Friendship is strong in rural areas, it has to be.  You have to be there for each other, you have to look out for each other, you have to help each other.  You have to come together as a community, and it is powerful.

The Mart is place to take your time.  You can’t rush livestock, they need to be kept calm.  Shouting and hollering will only upset them.  So it is a place of routine, and a place to take your time, to have a cuppa, to eat a bacon sandwich and to chat, to lean against the pen or to take a sit down.  The sale starts at 11 and no sooner.

 

A place of men…

The Mart is a place for the men.  A few women doing paperwork, the ladies in the café and a few wives and girlfriends.  But this is the place for men.  This is a place they bring their livestock, it is a place they can stand, not looking at each other, talking about livestock, costs, the weather and hopefully, eventually, themselves.  But if not, it is a place they have come, not to feel alone, for a morning, they will feel part of a community, part of something greater than them.  And if they have done a good job they will go home with some gossip for the wife!

I looked around the Marts, farmers unloading livestock, men with jobs to do, unspoken, all knowing where to be and what to do, which gates to open, where to stand out the way and I smiled. I was in awe. In awe that on this cold wet day, there was friendship, there were smiles, there was laughter… a lot of laughter.  Me being there might have added some interest, some banter, some jesting, but for that I am happy.  Because being at these Marts made me happy.  It made me want to be part of that community, and certainly made me want to go back and hear their stories.

For the sake of out rural farming communities’ places like these need to be preserved, their place in the community is vital to the survival of that community.

Check out my Rural Photography , or follow me on Instagram @my_rural_tribe to keep up to date with my walks and thoughts! 

If you would like to be part of my blogs please do Get In Touch! I would love to hear from you, visit your farm and hear all about what you are doing.  Or if you have some ideas of who I should visit, please do let me know!

Sian Mercer

Sian Mercer

Photography, Listener of thoughts, asker of questions, Writer of Blogs

I am Sian Mercer, the writer of these blogs, which are based on thoughts and ideas, quetions I have asked, feelings I have had and wonders which have been answered.

I am a photographer, please check out my website www.myruraltribe.com to see my work and book your own photoshoot, for your rural business or family.