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The ancient link between Church and agriculture is embedded in theology, history, calendars and our communities today. As we move into harvest time, this connection is highlighted in Sunday services and faith celebrations. Llandaff Diocese’s Rural Churches Officer, Rev’d Victoria Ashley works to strengthen the relationship between Church and farming neighbours all year round.Also a vicar in the rural location of Cowbridge Ministry Area, Rev’d Victoria creates diocesan partnerships with farming mental health charities to explore how churches can continue to support agriculturalists in all seasons and make clergy and laity aware of the training and resources available.At the Vale of Glamorgan County Show in August, Rev’d Victoria joined representatives from the DPJ Foundation, Farming Community Network Cymru, and RABI to talk to people about the help accessible to farming areas.She said, “We work alongside all these farming charities which complement one another to be able to learn how to spot the signs of mental health issues and signpost people in our communities to their services. The Church is there to listen, help with any spiritual needs and support people in finding what they need from these charities. We are all prepared to work together in a crisis.”Loneliness is one of the leading mental health concerns in the agricultural industry. The DPJ Foundation was established in 2016 after the death by suicide of Daniel Picton Jones.The DPJ raises awareness around the mental wellbeing of farmers and how to care for those around you as well as providing Mental Health Awareness training. The charity also provides free professional counselling and has a 24/7 text or call helpline for those in agriculture who wish to talk about mental health difficulties, isolation or any other struggles they might be facing confidentially.Kathleen Taylor-John from the DPJ Foundation said at the Vale Show, “We are here to support anyone in the agricultural sector. Whether you are actually farming or you are a vet who visits farms, we are here to support anybody in that community. I think there is a lot of stigma around mental health, and it is really hard to talk about, so to pick up the phone and say that you are struggling or feeling a bit lonely in what you are doing can be a huge step and we really appreciate that. You can take as much time as you like with the phone line, but we are there to listen. So, if you are feeling lonely, please reach out.”Other Farming Mental Health CharitiesFarming Network Community Cymru (FNC Cymru) offers practical resources as well as mental health support to agriculturalists in need accessible in both English and in Welsh.The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is an award-winning national charity, providing local support to the farming community across England and Wales and has a helpline, emergency grants for farms and training and upskilling opportunities.Tir Dewi was founded in 2015 in St Davids Diocese in response to a growing and serious need for someone to help the farmers of West Wales in difficult times. It also runs a helpline for farmers who are struggling, offering advice and support and access to a network of specialists from across aspects of farming. Read more about Tir Dewi here.