Some wear wellies!!
This week we have looked at how the industry is really starting to challenge and change its attitudes to, and behaviours around risk-taking but have you ever wondered who is behind this?
In previous years we have highlighted some inspirational individuals and organisations working to drive the change our industry needs to see and this year is no different.
The final day of this year’s Farm Safety Week will ‘High Five’ a Farm Safety Hero from each of our five partner countries and explain why we feel that the farming industry is becoming a safer place because of them.
ENGLAND – Jacob Barton
Jacob Barton, England Farm Safety Hero 2024
Our first Farm Safety Hero is a name you’ve probably never heard before – Jacob Barton – but this nine-year-old from Blackburn, Lancashire is definitely one to watch… literally!
Being so young and living on a family farm, Jacob has been using his YouTube channel to highlight farming through a child’s eyes. His videos show the hard work that farmers face every day and one recent video demonstrated just how dangerous it can be to have children in the workplace. In a social media clip that has had over 250K views, Jacob filmed his little brother Isaac running around a stationary tractor and showed just how easy it is not to notice a child when in the cab of the vehicle or when busy at work. A definite ag influencer of the future… Tom Pemberton watch out!
WALES – Meleri Jones
Meleri Jones, Wales Farm Safety Hero 2024
The work of the Wales FSP has evolved significantly since the group was established over a decade ago, much of this is thanks to this year’s Wales Farm Safety Hero, Meleri Jones.
Meleri is the Farm Safety Partnership Coordinator for Wales and works for Mentera (formerly known as Menter a Busnes) who, along with Lantra Wales, deliver Farming Connect on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Meleri is a farmer’s wife and daughter and has been working in the Health and Safety sector her whole career. Her determination and passion to ensure a safer agricultural industry in Wales and beyond is undeniable. Committed and collaborative, Meleri has a talent for engaging farm businesses across Wales to promote good, safe practice and make Welsh farms safer places to live and to work.
Together with her WFSP partners, Meleri has introduced new initiatives and resources including a children’s book ‘Nice One Bob’ and works closely with the partnership ambassadors to secure press and media coverage. She is often on the road visiting schools, colleges and attending key shows and events, all to raise awareness and to get Welsh farming community to think safe!
NORTHERN IRELAND – Dan Boomer
Dan Boomer, Northern Ireland’s Farm Safety Hero 2024
Someone who is no stranger to a pair of yellow wellies – albeit size 13 wellies – is our Farm Safety Hero from Northern Ireland Dan Boomer. This agriculture student from Lisburn introduced himself to us after we delivered our Introduction to Farm Safety session at Harpers Adams University and wanted to get involved.
Dan is currently on his placement year but has become a valuable ambassador for the charity, fundraising, giving talks to students, sharing his story on the Adam Henson Keeping on Track podcast and even playing the starring role in our ‘Mind Your Head’ hero film earlier this year. A powerful social media experiment that had over one-and-a-half million views!
Nothing is too much trouble for this young famer with big feet and an even bigger heart.
SCOTLAND – Jock Gibson
Jock Gibson, Scotland’s Farm Safety Hero 2024
Beef & sheep farmer, butcher and 2024 Nuffield Scholar Jock Gibson is married to Fiona and together they farm 250 head of Highland and Shorthorn cattle plus a micro flock of around 100 mostly Herdwick sheep between Forres and Elgin in the North of Scotland.
Jock is heavily involved with Farmstrong Scotland, a well-being programme aimed at crofters and farmers in Scotland encouraging them to look after their well-being. He is currently researching his Nuffield Scholarship on how red meat consumption and personal well-being are linked and exploring how to produce excellent meat-eating quality from 100% grass and forage diets.
His heroism, however, echoes back to March 2023, when his own well-being came under the spotlight after he shared footage of a run-in he had with a newly calved cow. The footage was seen far and wide on social media and demonstrated the real dangers of working with livestock. Thankfully, on this occasion, it was only Jock’s pride (and knee) that was a bit battered, however he did learn a vital lesson – never to take a cow’s behaviour for granted.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND – Dr John McNamara
Dr John McNamara, Ireland’s Farm Safety Hero 2024
And last, but by no means least we have Dr John McNamara. John is the national Health and Safety Specialist with Teagasc, the Irish State agency responsible for agricultural and food-related research, training and education. He has been driving insights into farm safety best practices in Ireland for over 30 years and leads work in the area of farm safety at Teagasc who have around 1,200 staff to promote, train and give advice to farmers across the country. John’s network extends beyond Ireland: his work is well-known and respected internationally particularly across Europe and America.
John has also been forefront in national and global research studies in collaboration with state and farming organisations in Ireland and further afield. Thanks to his efforts, numerous ground-breaking projects have been established, leading to significant improvements in farmer health and safety in Ireland and Europe. He is a valued member of many national and international multidisciplinary committees, including the Irish Farm Safety Partnership. John’s thirst for knowledge, international reach and genuine commitment to making a difference to Ireland’s safety record mean that he is a true Farm Safety Hero.
