Blog: Alix Ritchie, Director
Every year, the farmers and crofters who share their experiences with us remind us why Farmstrong matters. The 2025 survey is no different and we're genuinely grateful for every honest answer, helping shape our current and future work.
The research highlights that wellbeing across the agricultural sector in Scotland is still sitting below the national average, and that's something we can’t ignore. Sleep, fatigue, stress, finding the right balance – these are just some of the topics that keep coming up again and again, and these are all areas that will continue to be at the heart of what we focus on.
But what also came through clearly is that when people do connect with Farmstrong, it's making a genuine difference. Eight in ten people who've engaged with us say it's had a positive impact on their health and wellbeing and that means a lot – it shows what we are doing is working, and as importantly, it continues to be shaped by those who are benefiting from our resources, events and tools.
What strikes me most isn't just the numbers, though. It's what sits behind them. People telling us they feel better equipped to handle the challenging days. That they're finding it a bit easier to talk openly. That they feel less alone in what they're going through. If you know farming life, you'll understand why these aren't small wins – they ripple out into families, into businesses, into whole communities.
That's exactly why the tougher findings matter just as much to us as the positive ones. We don't want to build a programme around what we think farmers and crofters need, we want it grounded in what's actually going on and your honesty is what makes that possible.
So, a sincere thank you to everyone who filled in the survey, shared it, or nudged a friend to take part. You're helping build something real – a farming and crofting community that's more open, more connected, and more resilient.
Farmstrong remain focused on enabling individuals in Scotland’s agricultural community to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. It’s about living well so we can farm and croft well. And we'll keep working towards that together.
