My Story

RICHARD ADAMS’ family
has farmed in either
Felixstowe or Falkenham since the early 1900s. Richard lives with his family at Deben Lodge in Falkenham but spends most of his time at Gulpher Farm where they milk 150 dairy cows. Yet he still finds time to serve as a youth worker and deacon at Bethesda Baptist Church.

             “I always enjoyed helping on the farm from as early as I can remember,” says Richard. “I even had my own toy farm in the garden where I played for hours with my tractors! But I was never forced to take up farming as a career.

            “Brought up in a Christian home, I learned all about how to become a Christian and could see what being a Christian meant to family and friends. At a youth camp when I was 13, I felt God really challenge me to put my trust in him for myself. That is what I did and was baptised the following year.

            “Do I enjoy farming? Well, either farming is becoming harder or I am getting older and not much wiser! Some days are really enjoyable and satisfying, but a lot of the time I do find the way of life quite difficult and demanding. I went into farming for the love of the job, not the love of paperwork, but unfortunately, as in all jobs, the paper work and government restrictions take over. Supermarket dominance, animal diseases, and red tape regulations are particular problems at the moment but, to be fair, compared to farmers in some parts of the world, we are very fortunate.

            “The Bible is crammed full of advice on how to live, so knowing what it says has helped me to live my life as a husband, father and farmer. I certainly don’t have all the answers but I know from recent  personal  experience that, when the going gets tough, prayer, God’s word in the Bible and the encouragement of Christian friends have helped me through.         

            “If I wasn’t a farmer, I’d still want to do something practical as I am not much of an academic. When time allows I do enjoy a spot of building and DIY so perhaps I’d do something like that. I was given every opportunity to farm and my 3 children will have the same chance if they would like to, but there certainly won’t be any pressure either way.

            “How do I manage to fit in my youth work and other responsibilities? Well, I have always enjoyed working with young people although I do feel slightly out of touch sometimes. It’s a good opportunity to share the good news of Jesus while they are ready and willing to listen! It also helps me to take my mind off farming at the end of a busy week.

            “Having looked after 250 sheep for several years, I can see why Jesus compared mankind to the sheep. We are fairly daft sometimes but he continues to love us as a Good Shepherd, even to the point of laying down his life for us.

            “What of the future? People need to eat so I am sure there is a future for farming in the UK, but sadly the traditional family farm is under threat as large-scale specialized industry makes more financial sense. We have recently been selling some of our milk to The Little Ice Cream Co. opposite the Leisure Centre in Felixstowe, and they have done a fantastic job of making really tasty ice cream.

            “Speaking of taste, a verse in the Bible urges us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34 verse 8). I would recommend everyone to do just that!”

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