Farmer with his mind on learning more skills (From Gazette & Herald)

Farmer with his mind on learning more skills

A RYEDALE farmer is branching out into psychotherapy with the help of a Government grant.

John Gibson, an organic farmer from Gillamoor, was awarded a Fast Track Vocational Training Scheme grant from Defra, aimed at helping farmers gain new skills to diversify and make them sustainable.

As well as boosting his own income and enjoying a new challenge, John hopes to provide a valuable service in a Ryedale.

"There are quite a lot of problems with isolation and financial problems on farms," he said.

"As a psychotherapist, who is also a working farmer, I have a better insight and may be better able to help some people."

John has farmed since leaving school at 16, and with his wife, Eileen, and daughter, Rachel, he keeps a herd of 40 pedigree Ayrshire cows, providing organic milk to the dairy farmers of Britain co-operative and also growing wheat, barley, oats and potatoes.

Now he is entering the second year of a three-year course in Gestalt psychotherapy in Scarborough, and is already looking for a limited number of clients.

The grant scheme has helped other farmers become qualified HGV drivers, train in alternative and beauty therapy, and extend their skills in dairy farming.

Howard Botting, of the Rural Development Services, said that John's application was the most unusual he had seen so far.

"We never cease to be amazed at the different ideas farmers have to diversify," he said.

"When we first started, generally people were renovating farm buildings for holiday lets, but people are being more imaginative now."

He added: "The idea is to help farmers diversify outside farming to bring in a separate income, hopefully making use of existing buildings and if possible bringing in new jobs that can be filled by people living locally."

John will practice psychotherapy at the farm and also at the Kirkbymoorside Natural Health Centre.

He added: "Gesltalt psychotherapy chimes with our organic principles here on the farm.

"It is about approaching the whole person, in the same way that organic farming is about maintaining a balanced rotation.

"Its emphasis is holistic - a natural integration of mind, body, thoughts and feelings. An example of this approach might be to use creative experimentation to help to understand ourselves better."

For more information, contact John on (01751) 431872.

Updated: 14:33 Wednesday, October 12, 2005