“A problem shared is a problem halved: take the risk, nothing ventured, nothing gained. There is always another way, and there is always hope.”

This is a reminder from our February columnist – Farming Community Network (FCN) volunteer Chris, from Pennywell Farm in Devon – about picking up the phone and calling the FCN if you ever need help.

Chris has always been passionate about the farming community. After studying farming at college, and then a postgraduate course at Seale Hayne, Chris has had many opportunities to gain experience in farming throughout his life.

After Chris became a Christian, his faith led him to become lecturer at a college in mid Wales, and then to Devon where he started Pennywell Farm in 1988 alongside his wife.

Chris explains: “Our respective families and most people thought it was mad as I gave up a very good salary, superannuated pension and fifteen weeks paid holiday per year to start a business on bare land where there was no water, buildings, electricity or house - especially as my wonderful wife was pregnant.”

And now, 35 years later, Chris and his family are still at Pennywell, watching the next generation take up the reigns.

Chris wanted to volunteer for FCN just after the foot and mouth pandemic, but Pennywell was severely damaged financially and he was in no position to help. But he has said that hope and faith got him through those dark times.

“When I was a bachelor, I lost everything in businesses twice – hope was all I has as collateral,” Chris says.

“At Pennywell, we were in negative equity for the first seven years. We were also challenged by bank interest rates of 18 percent; rampant inflation; foot and mouth; frequently appalling weather in the holidays; fear of zoonotic diseases (although we were clear, this scared many people to coming for a farm visit) and more recently, the Covid-19 lockdown.

“I realize life is a journey which gives so many opportunities to learn, to serve, to laugh , to love and have fun. One great bit of advice I was given in my mid-twenties was to stop beating yourself up and learn to love yourself, which is hard to do, for myself this only came after I learned that God loves you.

“I feel very excited to be involved and am very hopeful for the future work of FCN, it is a superb organisation.”

Contact FCN by visiting fcn.org.uk or call 03000 111 999.