This year sees the ninth annual Back British Farming Day, conceptualised by the NFU. Celebrating British Farming, the day is intended to recognise and highlight the importance of agriculture to our food security and the economy. Given the new Government’s statement that “food security is national security”, this year it is even more important than ever to get this message across.
As an agency that specialises in agriculture, our team is passionate about farming, food and the environment we live in, so we thought we’d ask them what they all love about British food and the countryside. Here are their thoughts.
Managing Director, Angus Chalmers: I have nothing but respect for our farmers and the outstanding efforts they all undertake to put food on our tables and nurture the nature around us. Without them, our countryside would be a very different place.
Operations and Account Director, Steph Ironside: I love the diversity and the comfort factor of British food. Our food comes with traditions like Lamb at Easter, Turkey at Christmas, Sunday roasts, Fish n chips, Shepherd’s Pie. We have foods for every occasion, celebration or season and being British is all wrapped up in the food we enjoy eating and making part of an event!
Media Director, Will Hurrell: I live in rural West Wales, so I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by beautiful countryside that’s been shaped by farming.
In Dyfed (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion & Pembrokeshire) in particular, we have a diverse landscape of rolling hills & mountains to coastal plains – all contributing to a rich agricultural environment.
Fields are interspersed with hedgerows, woodlands and small rivers, offering a patchwork of natural beauty. The area is also dotted with ancient sites from standing stones to medieval farmhouses – all adding to the areas unique rural landscape.
Farming has been a cornerstone of Welsh culture for centuries. Many farms are family-owned and have been passed down through generations, maintaining a deep connection to the land and traditional farming practices. These farms produce high-quality produce that is sold in local markets, independent shops and restaurants, all promoting the farm-to-table movement and the local economy.
This blend of natural beauty and farming tradition makes the Welsh countryside one of my favourite parts of the UK.
Senior PR Account Manager Emma Waller: Britain produces some of the highest quality food in the world, from some of the most passionate and dedicated farmers, in some of the most challenging conditions. As the nights draw in, traditional British dishes like hearty stews and classic Sunday roasts bring families and friends together to share stories and create special memories. For me, British farming is not just about food; it’s about community, connection and pride.
Richard Pie, Art Director: I recognise and appreciate the enormous effort farmers contribute to the custodianship of our ‘green and pleasant land’. Who hasn’t flown back from a barren, sunny Mediterranean island and not been wow’d by the welcoming sight of lush and manicured patchwork fields?
Christopher Alway, Creative Designer: The great British countryside is a truly wonderful thing, and we should all take immense pride in it! From meticulously tended hedgerows, charming farm ponds, to vibrantly flower-filled field margins, these are truly biodiverse powerhouses. Agriculture isn’t just about providing our food – it’s also playing a key part in combating issues such as climate change, public health, and preserving nature. It’s as if agriculture is the superhero we never knew we had!
Michelle Robinson, Copywriter: The British Countryside feeds my soul and it feeds my family. Farmers are the unsung heroes working tirelessly in the background to not only produce food from our land, but also to take care of it.
Account Director, Toby Aiken: I grew up on a National Park, so from my formative years, I was surrounded by farms and farming. The hard work that our farmers put in is so often unseen and under-appreciated, and yet they work hard, long, lonely hours to bring food and ingredients to our supermarket shelves. I love their dedication and commitment to delivering, whatever the weather. Food is so important to us and is intrinsically linked with so many elements of our culture that these people really are the unsung heroes of the country.
