The group of Shropshire NFU members were at Morrisons supermarket for the event, which was part of Back British Farming Day celebrations.
Meeting shoppers
NFU county adviser Edward Garratt also brought one of his Jacob sheep, which graze the foothills of The Wrekin, to New Park St on 9 September to meet shoppers who visited the stand outside the store.
The Shrewsbury event and others across the region helped harness support from shoppers for county farm businesses and farmers also took the opportunity to meet MPs and councillors from all parties to highlight the value of those businesses growing crops, rearing animals and producing spectacular British flowers and plants.
Ruyton XI Towns farmer and Shropshire NFU chair Kate Mayne was at the Shrewsbury event and said county farms remained vital for communities, the economy and countryside and Back British Farming Day was a great opportunity to put farming and growing firmly under the spotlight.
Good opprtunity to put spotlight on food security
“The day was a really good opportunity to put the focus on what we do and our role in food security, the rural economy and countryside stewardship,” she said.
“We also had the chance to thank shoppers for backing us and buying British food whenever possible, alongside building support among MPs and others for farming-related and rural issues.
“The resilience of our food systems and our farm businesses has been raised at the highest level of government by the NFU following huge difficulties for farmers and growers on the ground this year.
“We need to have the ability to build the infrastructure that builds food production and food security for the future.”
NFU Shropshire County Chair Kate Mayne
“We want to drive resilient, thriving farms and rural communities, continue to put food on people’s plates.”
Mr Garratt, who has a flock of commercial Jacob sheep, said shoppers loved meeting one of his ewes, which was a Hampshire sheep that they have as part of the family’s therapy and counselling business.
Shropshire is supportive of farming
He said: “Our farms produce the food we need three times a day but also support many allied businesses and the wider supply chain in our towns and cities that help generate jobs and economic growth.
“In today’s uncertain world we need to ensure we secure homegrown food production today.
“We know Shropshire people are supportive but this was just a super opportunity to talk and thank them and explain what we do.
“I’d also like to thank Morrisons for having us.”
After the worst drought in 50 years, soaring fuel and fertiliser prices and bluetongue disease affecting cows and sheep, farmers and growers are struggling to find the funds to plant next year’s crops and keep their businesses going.
Greater resilience
The NFU is calling on the government to provide short-term loans and other measures to help farmers and enable them to plan next year’s production.
Robert Newbery, NFU regional director, said: “Back British Farming Day is an excellent celebration of everything that our farms do but all of those businesses are facing unprecedented challenges and financial pressures.
“With the right policies and investment from government, local and national, we can build greater resilience into our domestic food production system and ensure farmers and growers in Shropshire can continue producing food for 29 million households.”