Hartpury University BSc (Hons) Agriculture student Tilly Abbott will feature during a brand-new series of Adam Henson’sKeeping on Track  farmer’s weekly wellbeing podcast series. The second series will feature a total of ten episodes, with the first episode available yesterday (22 July) to mark the start of Farm Safety Week.

Following up on her appearance on the BBC’s  Countryfile  programme in May, sheep farmer Tilly will reflect on overcoming her own mental and physical health battles, as well as discussing the impact of losing a close friend to suicide. She is the second person from Hartpury University and College to contribute to the podcast, following on from Associate Head of Agriculture, Phil Watson’s candid interview last year. Hartpury University is sponsoring the podcast for a second time.

92% of UK farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today, according to a recent study by the Farm Safety Foundation. This is an increase of 10% from 2018.

Having also lost a friend to suicide, Adam Henson created the podcast in 2023, in collaboration with health and suicide prevention specialists, The Sound Doctor.

The aim of the series is to encourage more communication within the farming sector so people don’t have to suffer in silence and can receive support before it’s too late.

Alongside Tilly’s own inspirational story, listeners will hear from people including Becca Wilson - a fifth-generation farmer and one half of the Becca and Lizzie podcast duo, Stuart Roberts – former Deputy President of the NFU and current Chair of the Liberal Democrat’s newly formed Food and Farming Working Group, Willem Kuyken – Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science at Oxford University and author of “Mindfulness for Life”, and Mike Duxbury -  a pig farmer, champion of inclusivity and creator of a fully working farm for disabled people. Issues including farm safety and rural crime will also be covered during the ten episodes.

Adam said:  “I was at an event recently, and a lady came up to me and said, ‘You saved my husband’s life’. When quizzed, she explained that he’s a farm manager and had been in a very dark place mentally, but the podcast series has given him a huge lift, prompting him to seek support. We hugged and both shed a tear. I thought to myself that if we’ve helped just one person, then it’s a job well done.”

Phil Watson, Associate Head of Agriculture at Hartpury University said:  “We were delighted to support this initiative when it was first announced last year and are thrilled it has returned for a second series. We have over 500 students studying agriculture at Hartpury and this podcast is such a useful tool to share messages and promote discussion around mental health.

“It’s great to see that Tilly’s inspirational story is featuring during this second series. Having staff and students willing to share their own experiences is hugely important, and I was honoured to be able to share my own last year. I’m pleased to see such a variety of topics on the agenda, discussing issues important to the rural community.”