South west farmers got an insight into ways to improve their businesses and wellbeing at two unique events last week.

Gatherings at The Royal Standard in Gwinear and Eliot House Hotel in Liskeard trialled a new tool from 2 Minute Farmer (2MF), a unique project helping people in agriculture tackle big issues by breaking them into manageable chunks.

The tool breaks down farm businesses into eight key areas to help farmers prioritise steps they can take to improve their businesses and their lives.

Harriet Houseman, a researcher at 2MF said: “Life can sometimes be so complicated and there are so many conflicting priorities that it’s easy to not take effective action.

“A healthy and resilient business is all about balance and this tool identifies eight areas that contribute to a balanced farm life. Under these eight headings – future, production, paperwork, money, environment, lifestyle, people and assets – farmers can effectively carry out an at-a-glance health check of their professional and personal lives.

“It helps them prioritise which areas to work on and gives them a personal action plan to help them make improvements.

“All these eight areas are interconnected, but thinking about them separately helps prioritise which areas you should be proud of and which areas you’d benefit from working on.

“The tool was well received and many of the farmers that attended said it helped them think about some of the big questions surrounding their business that had previously been brushed under the carpet. They could also see it helping families sit down together to discuss the goals and future of their farm,” added Harriet.

“It was great to have the feedback of the farmers at the two events as to how we can improve the tool, as this will help us shape it. At present, it’s in the form of a printed workbook, but we hope to develop it in to an app.”

Spearheaded by Duchy College and Stephens Scown solicitors – and supported by the Agri-tech Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Project – 2MF collaborates with local businesses and charities in its mission to “help farmers assess and improve their farms in two-minute bursts, unpacking complex issues into bite-sized chunks.”

It’s also producing a series of short films with supporting material to help people tackle sensitive issues and the challenges of modern life by initially taking just two minutes out of their daily schedule.

Harriet concluded: “It was an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere at both events, but attendees were able to talk about some of the big challenges surrounding farming and could begin unpacking some of the complex issues they face."

2MF hopes to stage similar events in future, with meetings potentially exploring new legislation or managing finance, helping farmers focus on simple actions that they feel confident to complete.

READ MORE: Two minute tool to help farmers facing challenges