The Royal Cornwall Show
June 14, 2022
The Prince’s Countryside Fund was delighted that the Chairman of NFU Mutual, Jim McClaren MBE was presented to our Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, during his visit to The Royal Cornwall Show on the 10th June. The occasion, on The Duchy of Cornwall stand, recognised NFU Mutual’s continuing support of the PCF’s work across the UK.
Earlier in the day, the NFU Mutual also kindly hosted us for a breakfast reception to promote our farm resilience support delivered to farmers across Cornwall and the South-West.
The reception also celebrated the successes of the Farm Resilience Programme, with a recent independent evaluation finding it delivers significant economic, social, and environmental benefits for farmers. For every £1 invested in the programme, there is a £3 return for farmers – not including ongoing benefits to farmers which continue after they’ve completed the programme. It also found 56% of farmers reported increases in profitability and 73% of farmers reported improved business skills.
Further support through our farm resilience programmes will be available across the South West in the autumn and farmers can express their interest in these programmes now by visiting: www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/farmresilience
Since 2020, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has donated £100,000 to the PCF to support our emergency funding for Farm Support Groups in 2020 and our flagship grant programme, Supporting Rural Communities, in 2021.
Chris Walsh, Farming Insurance Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Many farmers feel the pressure of making sure their business is performing effectively and bringing a good standard of living to themselves, their family and any employees. With current economic challenges, these pressures feel particularly prevalent.
“The Farm Resilience Programme offers practical help for farmers to maximise their profit and long-term viability through one-to-one support and a series of workshops which focus on topics including business planning, finance, and environmental management.
“Helping our members in times of need and supporting rural communities has always been at the very heart of NFU Mutual’s approach. We are committed to making a positive impact through our charitable giving programme and are proud to be supporting The Prince’s Countryside Fund with the valuable services they offer.”
Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “The Prince’s Countryside Fund wishes to see a thriving countryside – a living, breathing, working place which is there for everyone. Working together, we can help those who look after the countryside in Cornwall and across the South-West to safeguard its future. The PCF is so grateful for the support from the NFU Mutual and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust towards our work in enabling family farms to thrive and building confident rural communities.”
