This is a communications project for British agriculture. Our aim is to build confidence among farmers and growers about talking to the media; while helping journalists and programme makers find independent, authentic voices at the grassroots of farming.

Just Farmers is a communications project aimed at improving openness and transparency in British agriculture, while helping members of the media broaden their rural contacts base.

Journalists, radio producers and TV researchers work hard to find good interviewees. It’s not easy – especially when you’re on deadline. And it’s getting harder to persuade farmers, particularly those running large scale or intensive systems, to go on the record. Many are afraid of saying something wrong or being targeted by activists.

As programme makers, we were regularly bumping into this problem ourselves so we decided to do something to help. Just Farmers is a kind of free ‘casting agency’ for farmers; somewhere journalists can find good talkers without a hidden agenda or rehearsed message. We are building a diverse network of independent farmers, representing the many sectors and systems of British agriculture. Just Farmers brings their voices together and helps colleagues in the media find case studies willing to speak from personal, visible, tangible experience.

We provide free media education workshops, one in the city and the other on a farm to farmers and growers across the UK. The aim is to improve their understanding of how the media works and what journalists need to do their job. We do practical interview exercises, story pitching sessions, Q&As with guest journalists and step out of our comfort zone by meeting people who may think differently about food and farming. Just Farmers is about listening as well as talking. The second workshop builds on those skills, with a focus on social media and broadcast media.

The workshops are fully funded by Just Farmers and there are just 12 farmers and growers in each group. The only cost to our farmers is time - two days for each workshop - and your travel there and back.

In return you become part of our Just Farmers network, where we help you get your story out to the media.

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