At the tender age of 18, Ffion Hooson’s world was turned upside down when her father suffered a stroke. In a big life change, she gave up her studies to take on the exhausting role of running the family’s farm.
As the BBC reports, the teen from Wales was studying agriculture, but had very little knowledge of running a farm, or the farming industry itself. However, that didn’t stop her from rolling up her sleeves and working grueling hours on the farm.
“It was a big responsibility, it was like I was thrown in at the deep end.” she shared with the BBC, adding, “It was very hard. Because I wasn’t involved so much when I was growing up, I hadn’t learnt quite enough to know exactly what I was doing, so I was sort of thrown in. And I had to pick up all the skills and do it myself.”
But now, four years on, Hooson looks after 100 cows and sheep, and spends time milking at a neighboring farm and also giving other farmers a mental boost.
In her new position as farmer, Hooson recognized just how lonely a job it can be. As she points out, she’s on the farm 24/7, and often alone. So she did what many young adults do; she turned to social media.
“It was a big jump and it is a lonely job and it was a struggle to be constantly on my own. I use social media a lot. I share my farming journey on there by posting pictures and sharing everyday life.”
Thankfully, by sharing her life change and daily struggles, she gets support and tips from some of her 7,000 plus followers on social media.
The young farmer was also able to reach out for support from the mental health charity DPJ Foundation, which was set up in the aftermath of Pembrokeshire farmer Daniel Picton-Jones‘ death in 2016.
The charity reached out to help her as she adapted to her life change, and this has been instrumental not only in her success, but in the way she inspires others.
Now 22, Hooson believes farming to be an attractive industry with lots of opportunities for youngsters to get in touch with nature and have a fulfilling career. However, she gives some sage advice:
“Don’t just focus yourself on the job. Do the job because it’s an amazing industry and way of life, but make sure you make time for yourself on the side and talk to people.”
Hooson’s story is just another example of young people stepping up. And it’s wonderful to see that not only she did save her family’s farm by doing so, she’s inspiring others.
