Jersey’s farmers have bared all for a calendar to demonstrate their support for the JEP’s Keep Jersey Farming campaign.
Those who stripped off include a young vet who used a newborn calf to protect her modesty, dairy farmers posing discreetly among their herds and members of the Jersey Young Farmers Club, who gamely got their kit off in a variety of locations.
The free calendar will be given away with Tuesday’s JEP as part of a supplement that celebrates Jersey’s agricultural industry and the people who work in its many sectors.
Jersey Young Farmers Club chairman and ‘Mr January’ Alexander Richardson features on the front cover of the calendar driving a vintage tractor.
He said: ‘Being a farmer and current chairman of the Jersey Young Farmers Club, I was more than happy to pose for the calendar and support a great cause that will hopefully raise public awareness about the importance of farming in Jersey. The Jersey Young Farmers Club has always played a big part in the Island’s farming community, so it’s great that some members took part, especially given that 2016 will mark the club’s 70th anniversary.’
Meanwhile brothers Tyrone and Powell Le Feuvre bared all to cut grass the old way, using scythes.
‘We initially thought we would be stripping off and be hidden waist-high amongst the sunflowers. However, we soon realised this was not the case,’ said Powell.
‘There we were, the two Le Feuvre brothers from St Mary, proceeding to strip into our birthday suits and embrace the elements on a very cold morning. We expect the Keep Jersey Farming calendar will create some laughter and encourage more people to support their local farmers.’
Vet Kate Williams said that being a ‘calendar girl’ had not sunk in yet, but she expects that will change when the calendar goes Islandwide on Tuesday.
‘The calendar represented quite a big challenge for me. Being in front of the camera is something I have never been confident with, let alone posing for a nude shot!’ she said.
‘I decided I should do it as I really believe that people need to see how great Jersey and its farmers are. We need to get our faces (and other bits) out there to the public and say: ‘Look! This is us – laid bare, literally – and we’re working for you and with you.’
The JEP launched its Keep Jersey Farming campaign in June with the backing of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Jersey Farmers Union and Genuine Jersey. It aims to raise awareness of the Island’s oldest industry and to encourage Islanders to buy fresh local produce.
JEP editor Andy Sibcy said: ‘We decided to produce the calendar to raise awareness about our great Keep Jersey Farming campaign and to bring a smile to readers’ faces during 2016. I am sure it will achieve both very worthwhile objectives. Whether it is hung in kitchens, bedrooms or workplaces, it should spark plenty of conversations about farmers and farming.’
The calendar includes key dates in the Jersey farming year, including country shows, farmer and craft markets and the twice-yearly branchage.
Source: Jersey Evening Post