#BackBritishFarmingDay

Every day seems to be a listed day for #National Wear a Hat day, or #National Rice Pudding Day (August 9th in America if you're interested) , but today is #BackBritishFarmingDay and that is a bit more relevant to ourselves. First and foremost we are farmers and have been on both sides of the family for generations so you could say farming is in our blood. Certainly it seems to be continuing with two of our children doing Agriculture related subjects at University, but who knows what the future holds for farmers everywhere.

I thought I would share a few interesting facts with yourselves about British farming, please forgive me if you already know them, but they certainly surprised me when I read them this morning. Did you know that for every £1 invested in farm support, farming delivers £7.40 back to the economy?, no, neither did I.

Farming plays an important role in managing the environment of over 70% of the UK's land area, they are responsible for managing both important landscape features and providing habitats for wildlife of local, national and international importance. The value of these habitiat and species protection services is estimated at around £672 million each year. The British countryside which is managed by farmers and provides the backdrop for visitors from around the world, this tourism is worth over £21 billion.

From a local point of view if you buy our Laverock Bird Foods you are not only helping to feed the birds, you are also backing farming too, as we have grown some of the crops used to make these foods, so our farm diversification is helping both farming and the environment too, so thank you all for your support, we really need it and it is much appreciated.

These are just some of the facts relating to British Agriculture and why we should all back it, I thought it might soften the blow a bit for when you are maybe stuck behind a tractor and are late for a meeting. Remember the old saying, "if you've eaten today thank a farmer", The sources for my fun facts are from the Back British Farming Campaign from the NFU