Rural Support

Do you have someone to take over the reins?

If not, would you like to see your farm continue to grow while giving someone else the opportunity to flourish through their passion for farming?

Rural Support offers mentoring and succession support for farming families, helping them plan confidently for the future. Our experienced mentors understand the challenges around succession and can help facilitate open, honest conversations about the next steps for your farm.

Support can include:
• Succession and future planning
• Family communication and decision-making
• Exploring opportunities for new entrants or partnerships
• Business and financial mentoring
• Guidance through periods of change and uncertainty

Rural Support’s mentoring approach focuses on supporting both the farm business and the people behind it, ensuring conversations are practical, constructive, and sensitive to family dynamics.

For further information or to avail of the Farming in Partnership Programme contact us:
📩 [email protected]
📞 028 8676 0040

Derrynoose Plough On members held their recently monthly meeting at Tossey's Cottage. It was wonderful watching old archive videos that were made by a local amateur film maker around 1990.

The old archive was of a local dealer, Pat Flanagan, who decided to sow a couple of acres of corn and process it 'old style'. A lot of the work was manual: the tying, the stooking, building the huts, and various roles at the thresher, which separated the grain from the straw.

The majority of characters in the video have since passed,bringing an even greater sense of nostalgia. It was great reminiscing, sharing memories and stories together before finishing the afternoon with tea and sandwiches.

Many thanks to Mid Ulster Cars and the Toyota Community Fund for their support.

🐷 New arrivals at Jigsaw Social Farm! 🐷

Meet the newest members of the farm, Malachy's first litter of micro pigs!
What makes this extra special is that this moment has been three years in the making 💫

Malachy has worked tirelessly to develop this project, including building the pigs' enclosure, and now his hard work has been rewarded with these adorable piglets.
A huge congratulations to Malachy on reaching this milestone. We can't wait to watch these little ones grow! 💚

Drop a ❤️ in the comments to welcome them to the farm!

Are you a new entrant or someone looking for a farming enterprise?

Breaking into farming without a family farm can feel challenging — but support is available to help you take those first steps.

Rural Support offers mentoring support to help new entrants explore opportunities within the industry and have those important conversations about their future in farming. Rural Support provides confidential guidance and mentoring for farming families and individuals across Northern Ireland.

The listening ear of a mentor gives you the opportunity to talk through your dreams and aspirations — whether you want to work in:
• Livestock
• Arable farming
• Regenerative agriculture
• Horticulture
• Or start your own farming enterprise
Our mentoring is designed to help support those putting their dreams and aspirations forward to become involved in a sustainable farm business.

If you are passionate about farming but don’t yet have a route in, please feel free to contact us for further information about our Farming in Partnership Programme:
📩 [email protected]
📞 028 8676 0040

Rural Support is honoured to be part of 'Developing in the Dark' — a film photography and darkroom portrait exhibition illuminating stories of support, created in collaboration between and

The exhibition shines a light on the vital role helplines play in offering understanding, advice and connection when it's needed most.

Rural Support's helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9 am–9 pm, for anyone in the farming community who needs someone to talk to.

You can read more about the exhibition here: https://www.littlevintagephotography.co.uk/helplines/

If you're struggling, don't face it alone — reach out, we're here to listen. 💚

*Matthew had been a dairy farmer all his life. At 52, his life was farming: early mornings, surrounded by nature, the outdoors, his cattle, and — most importantly — the companionship of his older brother, with whom he had shared both work and life.

But when Matthew phoned Rural Support in 2025, things on the farm had changed.

His voice trembled as he explained what had happened: his brother, his partner in the farm and in life, had recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The decision had been made — painfully, reluctantly — to sell their livestock at the local mart in just a few days’ time. For Matthew, that sale wasn’t just the end of the farm; it felt like the end of the world he knew.

Overwhelmed by stress, exhaustion, and fear, Matthew said he hadn’t slept in days. He described waking each morning with a heavy chest, headaches that wouldn’t ease, and a constant sense of dread. He worried about losing not only his brother but also his identity, his home, and his future income. And because of long standing family tensions with his brother’s wife, the few people he might normally have turned to felt out of reach.

As the call went on, Matthew’s words became heavier, quieter. He said he didn’t see the point of life without his brother or the farm. That staying in bed felt easier than facing the day. That sometimes he wondered if anyone would even notice if he were gone. He said he wished it would all just stop.

Rural Support’s Response
On the other side of the line, the call handler listened — not rushing, not interrupting — offering Matthew a safe place to ease the weight he had been carrying alone. Through gentle questions and active listening, they helped Matthew discuss his thoughts, feelings and emotions about what was happening in his life.

They validated his pain, acknowledging that what he was experiencing would challenge anyone. And when Matthew admitted he was having thoughts of ending his life, the call handler explored those thoughts with clarity and compassion. Matthew said he had no plan to act on them, but the distress was real and deep.
The call handler reassured Matthew, reminding him he wasn’t alone and that his feelings were understandable, not shameful.

Together, they talked through immediate supports. Matthew agreed it was important to contact his GP urgently, and he was given the Lifeline number should his suicidal thoughts intensify. The call handler also explained the counselling services available through Rural Support and, with Matthew agreed it was important to contact his GP urgently, and he was given the Lifeline number should his suicidal thoughts intensify. The call handler also explained the counselling services available through Rural Support and, with Matthew’s consent, took his details for a referral.

Before the call ended, the call handler made sure Matthew felt heard and supported — and knew that a counsellor would be in touch within the next few days. Matthew didn’t hang up feeling ‘fixed.’ But he did hang up feeling less alone, less invisible, and with a path forward.

The Grange Plough On group enjoyed their June meeting with a family and friends BBQ and quiz in glorious sunshine ☀️
We were delighted to welcome Linda and Janette from NFU Ballymena and Crumlin offices as guests. This allowed the group to thank both offices for their generous donations to The Grange Group.
A great night was had by all.
Thanks to group members for organising the steaks and quiz.

Thanks to the and for their continued support.

Today, alongside the core signatories of the Too Many Lives Lost campaign, we released this joint statement calling for su***de prevention to receive the same national focus as road safety.

Sign the petition: https://c.org/NgP2hxhyWF 🌱

***deprevention

🚴 YFCU Cycle Raises Funds for Rural Support! 🚴

A massive thank you to the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster Presidential team, who took on the challenge of cycling from their headquarters to their AGM in Omagh to raise funds for Rural Support.

Everyone who donated helped raise an incredible £3,776! Every mile cycled and every pound donated will go directly towards helping us continue supporting farming and rural families across Northern Ireland through difficult times.

We're so grateful for your continued support, YFCU.

We are delighted that Rural Support has been chosen as one of this year's beneficiaries of Ballymoyer Sunflower Festival. With a beautiful display of sunflowers, why not brighten your weekend with a sunflower stroll 🌻

OPENING THIS FRIDAY 😎🌻🌻SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Open Everyday Dawn to Dusk, There is a honesty Box at the gate, Put in what £'s you can afford, pick a few to bring home and most important come out with a Smile 😃