These reflections arise from two events

An Unsafe Distance An examination of relations between Governments and Farmers This booklet reviews farming-government relationships in historical context, with particular reference to the UK but also drawing on international case study material. It argues that these relationships reached an all-time low during the past decade in the UK. The urgent issue of climate change and its inter-relationships with farming offers both impetus and wide reasons for striving to improve farmer-government relations. The paper concludes with pointers towards this end. (Keywords: Farmers; Government; Relationships; Extension; Motivation; Theology). Written and compiled by Christopher Jones with contributions from Dr Dan Taylor Rev Ivor MacDonald Assisted by many others, all of who are blameless for the contents herein. 1 Christopher Jones gained a first class degree in Agriculture from Oxford University in 1959. He has a long association with CMS: from 1963-68 he was involved in agricultural development work with CMS, Nigeria; from 1969-70 he had a similar role in Kenya; in 1971 he was with the Christian Council of Nigeria as Agriculture coordinator for war affected areas; and from 1972-74 he continued agricultural development work. Since 1975 he has been farming in Northamptonshire, UK. From 1984-94 he was Chair of the CMS standing committee, and from 1994-2007 was national coordinator of Farm Crisis Network. He was also chairman ...