1st meeting of the Thematic Group on Valuing Farmers’ Wider Contributions to Society
This was the first meeting of the Thematic Group on Valuing Farmers' Wider Contributions to Society.
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Organised by EU CAP Network
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- CET
- English
- EU CAP Network premises - Brussels, Belgium
- In-person

EU farmers play a crucial role in our society which is of other not recognised nor not communicated clearly enough. The public discourse is often centred around rather negative headlines and sometimes even an unfair criticism – so-called ‘agri-bashing’ – which leaves farmers demotivated and could even result in mental and physical problems. Furthermore, the negative narrative about farming could be among the factors that discourage young people from entering the sector.
How to change the prevailing narrative, recognise farmers’ societal contributions and make farming a more attractive and rewarding profession?
This Thematic Group (TG) reflected on existing narratives about farmers and the broader societal value produced by farmers. These can include individual, family, or community-based farmers, with diverse sizes of farms, and conventional or organic farming practices. The main goal of the TG was to facilitate the recognition of the multiple roles of farmers in rural communities and explore how to raise awareness about them.
The first meeting aimed to:
- To jointly explore wider societal contributions of farmers as well as existing narratives about farming.
- To collect insights, experiences, good practice examples and innovative ideas on how the role of farmers could be better recognised.
- To share relevant examples and case studies from across the EU.
- To discuss the next steps of the TG (in-between meetings and second TG meeting).
To follow the work of this Thematic Group, please visit this page regularly, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and follow us on social media (#ValuingFarmers).
Programme
Agenda - Thematic Group (TG) on Valuing Farmers' Wider Contributions to Society
(PDF – 167.46 KB)
Additional info
Venue
EU CAP Network premises
Avenue des Arts 9/bis Brussels 1210 Belgium
Organiser
EU CAP Network
EU Stakeholders
Support
CAP Implementation Contact Point
EU CAP Network
Resources
Documents
List of Members - Thematic Group on Valuing Farmers' Wider Contributions to Society
(PDF – 193.68 KB)
Presentations
Welcome & Introduction to the Thematic Group (TG) – Veronika Korcekova, EU CAP Network
(PDF – 568.37 KB)
Overview of Existing Narratives About Farming – Natasha Foote
(PDF – 2.65 MB)
Framing Wider Contributions of Farmers to Society, EU CAP Network team
(PDF – 1.11 MB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Education – Claudino Matos, MUDA
(PDF – 24.21 MB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Education – Els Verte, Farm Visits/Rural Classes
(PDF – 530.5 KB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Farmers’ self-promotion – Virve Hindstrom, Farmers’ Communication Guide
(PDF – 161.93 KB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Farmers’ self-promotion – Thomas Weber presented by Verena Scherfranz, Farmfluencer
(PDF – 843.56 KB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Communication and Awareness Raising Campaigns Among Public – John Murphy, CAP Network Ireland
(PDF – 7.41 MB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Communication and Awareness Raising Campaigns Among Public – Reve Lambur, Farm Open Days
(PDF – 899.97 KB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Awards and Recognition Programmes – Veronika Resch-O'hógáin, Ambassadors for Biodiversity
(PDF – 625.69 KB)
Parallel Group Discussion on How Wider Contributions of Farmers can be Better Promoted in Awards and Recognition Programmes – Cristina Rascon, EU CAP Network
(PDF – 1.34 MB)
Conclusions and Next Steps – EU CAP Network team
(PDF – 393.58 KB)