RABI Volunteer Newsletter – September 2026

Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.

Thank you for joining our Committee Call!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Committee Call on 16 September. We hope you found the session helpful and that it gave you a clear overview of the next stage of RABI’s Volunteer Portal. You can rewatch the recording here. 

What happens next?

  • 21 September: You should have received an email explaining how your existing volunteer information will be securely transferred to the Volunteer Portal.
  • 19 October: You’ll receive your invitation with a link to log into the portal, check and add details, complete your induction. We estimate this will take 30mins to complete. Full details on how to access support will be included in the email
  • By 31 December: We aim to have all active committee volunteers registered and using the Portal.

We know that everyone has different levels of confidence with technology, so guidance and support sessions will be available to help you get set up.

Save the Date: Our next committee call will be held on Wednesday 13 January 

Graphic promoting the RABI and Farmers Guardian 2027 calendar, featuring a close-up image of a cow on the cover and a selection of winning and highly commended farming photographs.

Pre-order your 2027 Calendar

We are pleased to say that our 2027 Calendars will be available from mid-October. Please use this form to place your pre-orders and as soon as they are available, they will be posted to you. Please return your order forms to committees@rabi.org.uk.

Graphic asking volunteers to help shape RABI’s 2026 Carol Service Booklet, featuring the booklet cover and song list.

Christmas Carol Service booklets

Last year, we launched our RABI Carol Service booklet, and for 2026 we’d like to create a new and improved version.

If there are any carols you would like us to include that aren’t in last year’s booklet, please email committees@rabi.org.uk by 9 October. Where copyright allows, we’ll do our best to include them.

If you still have last year’s booklets and are happy to use them again, you are very welcome to do so.

You can view the 2025 Carol Service booklet here to see which carols are already included.

What a show season!

It has been a fantastic show season for RABI, with volunteers helping us connect with farming people across England and Wales.

6,500+ FarmersAid app downloads

11,000+ conversations on our stands

235,000+ people reached on social media

Collage showing RABI volunteers engaging with people at agricultural events, including speaking with visitors, walking through a showground and sharing information about RABI’s support.

 

Thank you to everyone who gave their time and helped represent RABI throughout the season.

Success at Denbigh & Flint

Our stand at the Denbigh & Flint Show was awarded fourth place, with judges recognising the FarmersAid app and the presentation of the stand.

Thank you to Jo Strange, Cath Houghton and everyone involved.

Champion stand at Westmorland

At the Westmorland County Show, the RABI stand was named Champion Show Stand – Best in Show 2026.

Across the two days, our staff and volunteers had some fantastic conversations with members of the farming community, supporters and partners, sharing information about RABI’s professional support and the FarmersAid app.

Thank you to the Cumbria Committee, volunteers from Burnetts Solicitors, our Event volunteers and everyone who helped make the show a success.

Graphic promoting RABI’s £2,000 Emergency Drought Grant for eligible farm owners and tenant farmers in officially designated drought areas, with a map showing the five regional phases and a call to “Help spread the word.”

Help spread the word about RABI’s Emergency Drought Grant

RABI’s Emergency Drought Grant provides £2,000 towards personal and household living costs for eligible farm owners and tenant farmers experiencing significant financial pressure as a result of drought.

Please help us raise awareness in your local farming community by sharing information about the grant with anyone who may be eligible. There are two regional phases still to come, covering the East of England from 28 September to 2 October and the Midlands from 5 to 9 October.

Have you welcomed someone new to your committee?

If you’ve recently welcomed a new member to your committee, please let us know.

Simply email volunteering@rabi.org.uk and we’ll make sure they receive everything they need to get started and feel welcomed into their RABI volunteer role.

Keeping us updated also helps ensure new volunteers receive the latest information, news and opportunities to get involved.

Book your place at RABI’s AGM

RABI’s 166th Annual General Meeting will take place in person on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 11am at Farmers & Fletchers in the City, London.

Committee Chairs are invited to attend on behalf of their committee. If you haven’t yet booked your place, please email AGM2026@rabi.org.uk as soon as possible. This will help us confirm attendance and catering arrangements.

Reasonable travel expenses will be covered for committee representatives.

We value your feedback

We are always looking to improve how we support our volunteers. If you have ideas, feedback or thoughts to share, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.

RABI Volunteer Newsletter – September 2026

Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.

Thank you for joining our Committee Call!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Committee Call on 16 September. We hope you found the session helpful and that it gave you a clear overview of the next stage of RABI’s Volunteer Portal. You can rewatch the recording here. 

What happens next?

  • 21 September: You should have received an email explaining how your existing volunteer information will be securely transferred to the Volunteer Portal.
  • 19 October: You’ll receive your invitation with a link to log into the portal, check and add details, complete your induction. We estimate this will take 30mins to complete. Full details on how to access support will be included in the email
  • By 31 December: We aim to have all active committee volunteers registered and using the Portal.

We know that everyone has different levels of confidence with technology, so guidance and support sessions will be available to help you get set up.

Save the Date: Our next committee call will be held on Wednesday 13 January 

Graphic promoting the RABI and Farmers Guardian 2027 calendar, featuring a close-up image of a cow on the cover and a selection of winning and highly commended farming photographs.

Pre-order your 2027 Calendar

We are pleased to say that our 2027 Calendars will be available from mid-October. Please use this form to place your pre-orders and as soon as they are available, they will be posted to you. Please return your order forms to committees@rabi.org.uk.

Graphic asking volunteers to help shape RABI’s 2026 Carol Service Booklet, featuring the booklet cover and song list.

Christmas Carol Service booklets

Last year, we launched our RABI Carol Service booklet, and for 2026 we’d like to create a new and improved version.

If there are any carols you would like us to include that aren’t in last year’s booklet, please email committees@rabi.org.uk by 9 October. Where copyright allows, we’ll do our best to include them.

If you still have last year’s booklets and are happy to use them again, you are very welcome to do so.

You can view the 2025 Carol Service booklet here to see which carols are already included.

What a show season!

It has been a fantastic show season for RABI, with volunteers helping us connect with farming people across England and Wales.

6,500+ FarmersAid app downloads

11,000+ conversations on our stands

235,000+ people reached on social media

Collage showing RABI volunteers engaging with people at agricultural events, including speaking with visitors, walking through a showground and sharing information about RABI’s support.

 

Thank you to everyone who gave their time and helped represent RABI throughout the season.

Success at Denbigh & Flint

Our stand at the Denbigh & Flint Show was awarded fourth place, with judges recognising the FarmersAid app and the presentation of the stand.

Thank you to Jo Strange, Cath Houghton and everyone involved.

Champion stand at Westmorland

At the Westmorland County Show, the RABI stand was named Champion Show Stand – Best in Show 2026.

Across the two days, our staff and volunteers had some fantastic conversations with members of the farming community, supporters and partners, sharing information about RABI’s professional support and the FarmersAid app.

Thank you to the Cumbria Committee, volunteers from Burnetts Solicitors, our Event volunteers and everyone who helped make the show a success.

Graphic promoting RABI’s £2,000 Emergency Drought Grant for eligible farm owners and tenant farmers in officially designated drought areas, with a map showing the five regional phases and a call to “Help spread the word.”

Help spread the word about RABI’s Emergency Drought Grant

RABI’s Emergency Drought Grant provides £2,000 towards personal and household living costs for eligible farm owners and tenant farmers experiencing significant financial pressure as a result of drought.

Please help us raise awareness in your local farming community by sharing information about the grant with anyone who may be eligible. There are two regional phases still to come, covering the East of England from 28 September to 2 October and the Midlands from 5 to 9 October.

Have you welcomed someone new to your committee?

If you’ve recently welcomed a new member to your committee, please let us know.

Simply email volunteering@rabi.org.uk and we’ll make sure they receive everything they need to get started and feel welcomed into their RABI volunteer role.

Keeping us updated also helps ensure new volunteers receive the latest information, news and opportunities to get involved.

Book your place at RABI’s AGM

RABI’s 166th Annual General Meeting will take place in person on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 11am at Farmers & Fletchers in the City, London.

Committee Chairs are invited to attend on behalf of their committee. If you haven’t yet booked your place, please email AGM2026@rabi.org.uk as soon as possible. This will help us confirm attendance and catering arrangements.

Reasonable travel expenses will be covered for committee representatives.

We value your feedback

We are always looking to improve how we support our volunteers. If you have ideas, feedback or thoughts to share, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.