Through a range of activities across the region, from a county show and college engagement event to meetings with councillors, MPs and policymakers, members highlighted the importance of homegrown food production and the contribution farming makes to rural communities.
In Westminster, NFU North officeholders - including Will Raw, Clare Wise and William Maughan - joined MPs and industry representatives at the NFU's Back British Farming Day parliamentary reception, where NFU President Tom Bradshaw launched the NFU's Ready to Grow report.
The York East county team engaged with hundreds of students at Bishop Burton College near Beverley, highlighting the importance of British farming and encouraging the next generation to champion homegrown food production. The event was attended by Humberside Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Cllr Leo Hammond.
At Westmorland County Show, the NFU North and NFU Kendal teams welcomed hundreds of visitors to the stand throughout the day. Guests included Cumbria mayoral candidates David Allen and Mike Starkie, along with Tenant Farming Commissioner Alan Laidlaw. The stand was named winner of the Best Large Agricultural award.
In Northumberland, the county team hosted a Back British Farming Day event at Morpeth County Hall, showcasing local produce with councillors and staff, promoting the value of British farming to the local economy.
Back British Farming Day and the launch of the Ready to Grow report generated extensive media interest across the North. Coverage included BBC Look North, ITV Border, Yorkshire Times, Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo and Middlesbrough Gazette, alongside blanket coverage across regional BBC radio stations, Greatest Hits Radio and Global Radio.
Overall, the campaign generated more than 100 pieces of media coverage across the region, while officeholders from across the North helped amplify the campaign's messages through a series of videos shared on NFU North social media channels.
The conversations continued beyond Back British Farming Day, with councillors in Lancashire visiting Lancashire Council Delegate John Alpe’s farm later in the week. On Friday 11 September, Lancashire County Council councillors visited John’s farm in Clitheroe, touring the farm by tractor. They discussed key issues including bluetongue, planning, SFI and access to labour.
Getting the message across
NFU North Regional Policy Manager Adam Briggs said: “Back British Farming Day is a great opportunity to thank everyone in the country for supporting British farmers and remind them where their food comes from.
“This year the real focus was on self-sufficiency in food, highlighting how much this has reduced over the last 30 years. It was great to see everyone in the team and our members pulling together to get the message across, through events and social media. We got some brilliant media coverage and having farmers telling their own story, explaining why they are so passionate about what they do, really helps to get the message across.”
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NFU North Director David Hall, North Regional Board Chair William Maughan, Acting Livestock Board Chair Clare Wise and National Poultry Board Chair Will Raw in Westminster
Farming Minister Stephen Morgan and NFU North Director David Hall at the Back British Farming Day reception
The York East county team were joined by Humberside Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Cllr Leo Hammond at their event at Bishop Burton College
The NFU stand at Westmorland County Show was named winner of Best Large Agricultural on Back British Farming Day
The NFU Northumberland team met councillors and staff at Morpeth County Hall
