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Diversification: Social media app inspires people to connect with the countryside

After getting fed up with having field sports and general countryside-related content blocked on social media, a couple from Hertfordshire created Stile, an app dedicated to connecting people with the countryside

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
Rachel Draper, co-creator of Stile, said: "I have seen farmers called all sorts of terrible names and, after a long day of work when they may not have spoken to anyone in real life, to read those comments must make them feel like the world is against them. I thought there should be an alternative to the current social platforms that had more educated, fair posting policies and worked to connect liked-minded individuals, and to support and promote small rural businesses."
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Rachel Draper, co-creator of Stile, said: "I have seen farmers called all sorts of terrible names and, after a long day of work when they may not have spoken to anyone in real life, to read those comments must make them feel like the world is against them. I thought there should be an alternative to the current social platforms that had more educated, fair posting policies and worked to connect liked-minded individuals, and to support and promote small rural businesses."

Social media has been an ever-evolving presence in modern life and can be a tool to spread awareness and education about farming and rural life. Rachel Draper and Ian Sweetman have been on a journey...

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