The NFU took the farming experience to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta for the first time last week, to showcase local produce and the benefits of buying British food.
Over 4,000 families visited the NFU’s Discovery Barn and Discovery Pod which provided interactive games for children as well as local food and drink to try. Members of the public enjoyed samples of local produce, including Wyke Farm’s award winning cheddar cheese from Somerset, Cox apple juice from King’s Orchard in Kent and Watmuff & Beckett’s Perfect Pea and Fresh Mint soup from Somerset. 
700 members of the public also pledged their support for the NFU’s Back British Farming Campaign by hanging an apple on the Back British Farming pledge tree.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “With Brexit just around the corner there has never been a more important time for the public to get behind their local farmers.
“British farmers and growers provide the nation with a safe, traceable and affordable supply of delicious British food every day, and this supply should not be taken for granted.
Our younger visitors enjoyed learning about farming in the Discovery Barn by having a go at milking Annabelle the cow, driving a tractor, measuring how tall they are compared to farm animals and much more. All mini-farmers received a packet of seeds to take away and experience growing something for themselves, alongside an activity booklet filled with extra farming activities to enjoy when they got home.
The Discovery Barn and Discovery Pod will also be heading to the Big Feastival later this month, to engage with a large, urban audience.