Rural support group awarded £20k to help farmers

Farmers are currently facing a whole raft of challenges, according to the fund

A business providing support and resources to farmers across Herefordshire has been awarded £20,000.

Herefordshire Rural Hub has received the money from the Royal Countryside Fund, designed to help rural communities that are finding things tough.

Managing director Kate Speke-Adams said the money would support its activities throughout the year during "challenging environmental and financial times".

A total of £170,000 in new support has been handed to nine farming groups in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Keith Halstead, executive director of The Royal Countryside Fund, said the awards came at a time when many farmers were tackling problems.

“Farmers are currently facing a whole raft of challenges and we know it’s a difficult time for so many families, so it’s vital our funding goes to where it will make the most impact," he said.

In the coming weeks, Herefordshire Rural Hub will be putting on workshops and events with the funding.

These will include a rural business advice clinic, which is expected to attract by dozens from across the county.

Herefordshire Rural Hub has received the money from the Royal Countryside Fund

In February, a survey found more than nine in 10 British farmers aged under 40 believed poor mental health was one of the sector's biggest hidden problems.

Sam Stables, a farmer in Aconbury, told the BBC farmers were "on their knees" as rising costs, adverse weather and other pressures took their toll.