Mission Farm Strong 2026 to kick off wellness campaign at Kilrea Mart

PICTURED ABOVE: Representatives from Rural Chaplaincy, Farm Families Health Checks, the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), the Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum and Asthma + Lung UK at the launch of Mission Farm Strong at Burkes of Cornnascriebe in aid of Rural Support.

Starting with a launch event at Kilrea Mart on Wednesday, February 18, the Mission Farm Strong campaign returns this month with a broadened programme designed to bolster rural resilience. This initiative provides a unique support network for individuals and families, addressing everything from physical health to mental and spiritual strength.

The initiative is backed by a wide partnership of organisations including the Rural Chaplaincy, Farm Families Health Checks, the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) and the Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum.

This year’s chosen charity is Rural Support, the trusted farm support charity for Northern Ireland, which provides confidential help and practical assistance to farmers, farm families and rural communities during times of stress, change and difficulty.

The Mission Farm Strong awareness events are open to all members of the farming community and encourage individuals and families to carefully consider their overall wellbeing. The campaign recognises the unique pressures faced within agriculture and promotes the importance of looking after physical health, mental resilience and spiritual wellbeing.

New for 2026, Asthma + Lung UK NI will join the campaign, bringing a dedicated focus on farmers’ lung health. This will highlight respiratory risks within agriculture and promote practical steps farmers can take to protect their long-term health.

“Mission Farm Strong is about reminding every member of the farming community that their wellbeing matters. Farming places huge demands on individuals and families, and these events encourage people to reflect on their physical, mental and spiritual health while highlighting the trusted support available.

"We are delighted to promote Rural Support as this year’s chosen charity and to work alongside partner organisations to ensure farmers know they are not alone and that help is there when it’s needed. We look forward to seeing you all at your local mart,” said Rev Kenny Hanna, founding member of the Mission Farm Strong Campaign.

Dates and locations of participating livestock marts for the Mission Farm Strong events from 10.30am until close are:

• Wednesday, 18 February: Kilrea Mart 
• Thursday 19 February: Enniskillen Mart 
• Friday 20 February: Ballymena Mart 
• Saturday 21 February: Clogher Mart 
• Friday 27 February: Rathfriland Mart 
• Saturday 28 February: Markethill Mart 

As part of the outreach programme, the Rural Chaplaincy team will visit all six marts in a New Holland tractor, graciously sponsored by Burkes of Cornnascriebe. Along the journey, the Rural Chaplaincy team will also visit nine rural primary schools, delivering vital campaign messages and helping to raise awareness of health and wellbeing from an early age within farming communities.

Victoria Ross, Marketing, Social Media and Public Relations Programme Manager for Rural Support said, “We are honoured to be chosen as the charity partner for Mission Farm Strong 2026. The awareness raised through this campaign, alongside the vital funds generated, will directly help us continue providing confidential, practical and emotional support to farmers and farm families across Northern Ireland.

READ NEXT: Tour Guides NI explore Binevenagh and Roe Valley with Visit Causeway Coast and Glens

“With increasing pressures facing the farming community, this support is needed now more than ever, and we are grateful to everyone involved in Mission Farm Strong for helping ensure that farmers know help is available and accessible when they need it.”

Mission Farm Strong 2026 aims to continue building strong, supportive rural communities by reducing stigma, encouraging conversation and ensuring farmers know where to turn for help and support when they need it most.

For more information on Rural Support please call their FREEPHONE confidential Support Line 0800 138 1676 or visit www.ruralsupport.org.uk. You can also contribute to this fundraising campaign via https://www.justgiving.com/charity/ruralsport and use #MFS2026.