Charlotte Harris: You are not alone

Farming is more than just a job, it builds a community and support within the industry. Everyone may see a struggle at some point but you are never alone. Young farmer, Charlotte Harris believes that “farming has the power to bring people together”.

Charlotte grew up around cattle and sheep and remembers those experiences as some of the happiest moments. Throughout her life, she has seen countless examples of how extraordinary farmers are, dedicating themselves to ensuring we have food on our tables. 

Her biggest inspiration has always been her dad, whose dedication and hard work as a shepherd made her look up to him as a role model. His commitment, day in and day out, and his role as a supportive and caring father motivated Charlotte to follow in his footsteps, sparking her dream of becoming a shepherdess and carrying on the family tradition. A challenge she faced was that there were no specific courses available to her so she decided to do a veterinary course. 

With the skills from the veterinary course, experience in shepherding, and support from her family, she started her own business Charlotte Harris Equine and Shepherdess Services. She helps farmers facing problems that occur and has found her place in farming. Combining your skills is also a great way to explore future opportunities as people may be looking for multi-talented individuals or you may decide to change your area of work. 

One of the most significant challenges Charlotte faced in her life is living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mental health challenges in the farming community are a significant issue, affecting many individuals in the industry. Despite the barriers caused, Charlotte proved that you can achieve what you want and continued to follow her dream becoming a huge inspiration to farmers and the next generation. 

Charlotte found that talking helped a lot when it came to mental health. The farming industry is also a community, there are many events and support for farmers opening opportunities to connect with others and discuss problems with each other. You will find that you are not alone in the way you are feeling and there is always available support. 

There may be barriers in life that will put you off achieving your dreams, but as proven by Charlotte, anyone can achieve their dreams and overcome any obstacles, and when you do, there is no better feeling than seeing what you have achieved.