farming
I listen carefully to the concerns of rural communities and in particular our farming community and those affected by rural deprivation.
I am fully aware of the struggles of farming communities, such as flooding, isolated living and recent field fires.
Returning to Cumbria, and partnering in the family business, I married into farming too and we had two children.
The Lord provided for me at just the right time when alongside practical farming I was appointed for a job developing and managing a large European Rural Development programme for an Enterprise Agency, where I worked for 11 years.
For 25 years I have volunteered for what was the Farm Crisis Network (now the Farming Community Network) which was set up by Christopher Jones, to support farmers under pressure.
Christopher and his wife were Christian farming missionaries and they saw the need here on their return from Africa.
improve trust in data throughout the British food and farming industry
I now run a smallholding so can speak with some knowledge and experience about farming community.
Alongside farming, I run a family mental health clinic, employing approximately 25 staff working with families who struggle, where mental or physical health has upended their lives.
Proposer: The Revd Paul Filmer, Exeter Diocese Bishop’s Officer, Honiton Deanery “Emma, from a Devon farming family, combines community spirit, business acumen and top-level church governance – the perfect mix.” ; Seconder: The Revd Timothy Collins, Rector, Netherexe Mission Community “All welcome, all encouraged to flourish.”
Also given the parlous state of tenant farming rewilding would be harmonious with Save The Rural Parish.
I will also always seek to be a voice for the rural church and the farming community, with some understanding as a smallholder with sheep myself.
If elected to General Synod, I would want to play my part, together with others, in ensuring that the Church sufficiently understands the practical realities of rural communities and farming as well as the critical loss of biodiversity.
Originally from York, I grew up in Green Hammerton, a farming village between York and Harrogate.
Despite much city-dwelling, I am part of a Sussex farming family, and those who live in the more isolated patches of England, and their churches, will not be forgotten; Stewardship of Church of England finances.
In the past I voted for partial independence of diocesan safeguarding, in the future I’d vote for full independence - the public (and politicians and media) demand it, it is practicable, it should raise standards and the objection that we shouldn’t be farming it out doesn’t hold up as we are always responsible for it at the grassroots.
Farming, Faith and Action
Farming, with its obvious connection to creation, is a way for me to live my everyday life of faith, guided by the spirit.
I am a member of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals and a follower of Compassion in World Farming.
The rural church is often forgotten, but there is much we can learn from the traditions, farming routines and quirks that make up our beautiful countryside.
I will aim to: o Advocate for rural churches to be heard and seen, championing farming communities and mission to our isolated and dispersed countryside communities. o Ensure every person in each parish is seen as important and cherished, that we go out to the community rather than expecting people to come to the church.
Previously, I worked four years with the Farming Community Network, supporting volunteers and farming families.
We have developed fruitful links with Parliament through the House of Lords and played a part in wider national rural issues such as farming, ecology, housing, climate resilience and food security.
Caring for Creation & Regenerative Farming
I am passionately committed to regenerative farming—advocating for food networks to phase out soil-depleting chemicals.
I will champion initiatives that support our local farming communities in restoring the land, ensuring our rural SYNOD parishes lead the way in caring for Creation.
CANDIDATE Churches must be at the forefront of tackling the mental health crisis, offering safe STATEMENT spaces for dedicated wellbeing hubs—particularly for young people and isolated farming communities.
Our house went with dad’s job, dad changed jobs a lot until I was aged 11 when we finally settled at West Lydford, near Somerton. 1990 to date, married to Michael, farming small 100 acre dairy/now suckler family farm.
In farming communities, commuting to church is viewed as an activity for the wealthy; lambing, calving and harvest all work to God's own timings, not to a benefice rota!