Riding a wave

[Bill the Bass]

Just took a quick trip to get a tire repaired for the quad, on radio 1 Scott Mills was thanking those working in the NHS, delivery drivers and farmers - no one else. I think there is definitely a new found respect out there for what we do. No one is out there thanking ecologists, academics and mad cap journos like Monbiot and Packham.

How do we ride this wave and re establish our dignity and role in society without sounding like a bunch of self righteous pompous dicks?

 

[Kidds]

Just ride it while you can, it will crash onto the rocks just like all waves do.

 

[JP1]

Just took a quick trip to get a tire repaired for the quad, on radio 1 Scott Mills was thanking those working in the NHS, delivery drivers and farmers - no one else. I think there is definitely a new found respect out there for what we do. No one is out there thanking ecologists, academics and mad cap journos like Monbiot and Packham.

How do we ride this wave and re establish our dignity and role in society without sounding like a bunch of self righteous pompous dicks?

For a start folks moderating their language when posting pro-farmer posts on SM

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

It's a bit like balancing on top of a high garden fence.

On one side is "Farmers are raping the environment and being too intensive with their production"

On the other side is "Farmers are cashing in on the food supply crisis"

Currently Farmers are managing to stay on the fence and not fall into either garden. (IMHO)

I don't want farmers thanked, there is no special divine status attached to being a food producer, I'd just like to see consumers think more about where their food comes from and not take it for granted as much.

Unfortunately, people only appreciate farmers when food isn't overflowing off every shelf in every shop and consumers have to think about where their next shop is coming from.

 

[Sonoftheheir]

^hear hear!^

 

[MrNoo]

I do think a lot are trying things they wouldnt normally try, ingredient wise, where they source stuff too. A lot have been going to local butchers and farm sellers of veg/pots etc and comments I hear is "How good it tastes" price doesnt come into it or appear to anyway. The fact that food is available in these small outlets is a massive bonus. The question is, will they continue to shop at these places when/if we ever get back to normal, I hope so.

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

It might be short lived, if there becomes a shortage due to marts closing or marts doing less sales, and slaughter houses that are on short time,

Moy Park workers walk out over coronavirus safety fears at plant

UP to 1,000 workers at poultry giant Moy Park, Northern Ireland’s biggest employer, have walked out with a trade union claiming that bosses have rejected health and safety proposals.

www.independent.ie

And things like this above could disrupt supply,
Best way it to keep posting on socal media that farmers are still working, to get the message through to Joe public

It will be the supply chain that let's the job down if anything

 

[delilah]

I do think a lot are trying things they wouldnt normally try, ingredient wise, where they source stuff too. A lot have been going to local butchers and farm sellers of veg/pots etc and comments I hear is "How good it tastes" price doesnt come into it or appear to anyway. The fact that food is available in these small outlets is a massive bonus. The question is, will they continue to shop at these places when/if we ever get back to normal, I hope so.

Time to put it in perspective.
If there has been a doubling in the last week in the number of people buying direct, that is, lets say, 2% of market share rather than 1%. And that may be shortlived as the remaining small abattoirs and other links in the direct sales chain start to creak under the pressure, and as the supermarkets hoover up what they need.
It has always been the case that action is needed at two levels, micro and macro.
The micro - individual households changing their habits - is happening under the current exceptional circumstances.
However the macro - structural change - will only happen with Government intervention.
Attached expands on these micro and macro issues.

 

[Working from home]

There is always a fantastic "relationship" between Radio 1 DJ's and the farming industry. They love it. Always a highlight for any R1 DJ was doing a set at NFYFC AGM. When I was there it was Mark Goodier in them days!!!! Ahh memories !!!

 

[kiwi pom]

I think in general farmers are usually pretty well thought of by the general public.
There's plenty of jobs that are a lot worse when it comes to public support.