The Prince visited the Duchy of Cornwall-owned Lower Blakemere Farm in Moccas on Tuesday, January 28.
The farm is one of the Duchy’s seven Focus Farms, an initiative designed to share knowledge and experiences of the transition to greener farming practices.
Tenant farmers Phil and Heather Gorringe and their son Monty took him on a tour of the farm, with the prince even rummaging through a compost bin of worms.
The prince also met members of the Ridge to River project, which is a landmark, landscape-scale nature recovery programme which unites 16 local farms in a collaborative effort to achieve a resilient landscape, where a mosaic of woodlands, parkland, meres, farmland and floodplains provide food, boost biodiversity and protect water whilst contributing to climate mitigation and social value throughout the Wye Valley.
When discussing the ongoing projects with the members of the group, the prince remarked on the importance of bringing everyone together, “from a mental health point of view”.
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“Farming is quite isolating at times, quite lonely, and actually you’re up against so many challenges currently, with weather and everything else going on”.
In their last visit to the county, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Herefordshire charity, We Are Farming Minds, who are also Duchy of Cornwall farming tenants.
The prince and princess met Sam and Emily Stables on their last visit to the county. (Image: Cameron Smith/PA) The charity’s founders, Sam and Emily Stables, greeted the royals along with their children, George and Alfie Stables, with the princess saying, “It’s nice to meet another George”.
Prince William and Princess Catherine got to see a demonstration from the farm’s sheepdog, Hugh, as he rounded up a flock of sheep.
They then got to meet the charity’s trustees, Caroline Brewer, Suzanne Jones and David Harding, and some local farmers who have benefited directly from the charity’s work.
The farmers got a chance to share their personal experiences with their mental health with the prince and princess, and the charity said that they provide a range of support to those who need it, including counselling over the telephone and in person.
Prince William praised the charity for offering face-to-face support as well as over the phone, commenting that in-person appointments are important for “developing connection and opening up”.
Speaking about his own experiences, Mr Stables previously said: “A number of years ago I went through a rough time and made the decision that I didn’t want to be here anymore.”
He fought back tears as he explained that there was a lack of support in the farming community, and he had been inspired to change this.
“We never thought we’d be here today with his royal highness and the princess. They’ve done so much for agriculture and to support this charity,” he said.
The charity says that poor mental health is 46 per cent higher in farmers than in any other industry, yet “rural communities have less access to support”.
The charity aims to reach out to the farming community to break down stigma, open up support and say to every farmer “You are not alone”.
The charity is funded purely by donations, and has seen several events across the county raise vital funds for the training of volunteers, and the funding of counselling sessions.
In November, a charity race day was held in honour of local farmer Richard Layton, who sadly took his own life in 2023, and over £50,000 was raised, which was split between three causes, including We Are Farming Minds.
Building on the success of the day, Hereford Racecourse is now planning to host another charity race day with We Are Farming Minds in the autumn of this year.
If you are a Herefordshire farmer or you are concerned about someone you know and want someone to talk to, you can call the We Are Farming Minds 24/7 helpline on 0808 802 0070 or text 07786 203130.