A five year programme to help the Farming Community Network (FCN) support famers and their families through difficult times has been announced by Agrii.

The Five to-Thrive programme involves financial support for focussed FCN initiatives, annual activities at the company’s series of iFarm and other events, and business-wide assistance in raising awareness of the charity.

Farming and dementia is the primary focus of the programme for the current season, with mental well-being, lone working, fit to farm, and sustainability and resilience being developed as key initiatives for subsequent years.

Immy O’Keeffe, Agrii’s marketing manager said: ““FCN’s commitment to ‘walking with’ people to help them find a way through their difficulties and signpost them towards extra support and advice can be life-changing. But all too often those who most need to share their problems can’t see where to turn for a helping hand or are reluctant to ask for it.”

In addition to informative materials and widespread promotion, the Agrii programme will include a series of workshops led by FCN staff to help its nationwide team of agronomists, advisers and other customer-facing employees identify people in need and understand how to get them the right support.

Alongside this, the company will make a £1 donation to FCN for every entry into its 2017 Moved by the Countryside photography competition offering over £1000 of prizes and the opportunity for entrants to have their great British countryside pictures published in the 2018 and 2019 Agrii calendars.