New Farmers Guardian campaign backed by the Prime Minister highlights how Agriculture and British Farmers Can bring the nation together

Today marks the launch of Farmers Guardian’s #FarmingCan campaign to showcase what farming delivers for the nation and how it can be a key block as the country rebuilds from the pandemic.

• Shows farmers are at the heart of the nation
• How agriculture can tackle climate change
• Dispel myths around food production
• Bring the public and farmers closer together

 The new consumer facing campaign launches today across print, digital and social media channels, #FarmingCan will celebrate and promote what British farming is already doing across 70 per cent of the British Isles, while also highlighting its potential, enthusiasm, and innovative spirit.

Backed by farmers, rural organisations, environmental and consumer groups as well as politicians, celebrities and social media influencers, #FarmingCAN shows what the UK agricultural sector is capable of when given the right tools and political frameworks.

Landing at a time when policy makers are taking decisions that will see the industry go through its biggest shake-up since the Second World War. The campaign will shine a light on UK farmers’ role in producing more food, more efficiently and exporting to more markets, while generating more energy, mitigating climate change, improving biodiversity, water and soil quality; being more inclusive and using its knowledge to help feed and protect the planet.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Our farmers have played a vital role, working day and night, rain or shine, to keep our shelves stocked and the nation fed throughout the pandemic. 

“I am proud to back the #FarmingCAN campaign which will shine a light on the enormous contribution they make to our communities and I am determined that now we have left the EU we finally put the interests of our British farmers first.

“The farming community will always have the Government’s full support and together I know we will deliver a bright future for British farming.”

The campaign, which complements Farmers Guardian’s well established 24 Hours in Farming initiative, taking place this year on August 5, comes at a time when, following the Covid-19 pandemic, public support for British farmers has never been higher*.

National Farmers Union president Minette Batters said: “This is a great campaign and it highlights the industry’s ability and potential to deliver jobs, green growth and economic prosperity,” she said.

“I think #FarmingCAN will help to inspire political and business ambition to invest in the rural economy, of which agriculture underpins every part.

“It will also showcase what the country really loves about this sector, the culture and the heritage, the ‘green gym’ and the ambition of the extraordinary network of farming businesses, 50 per cent of which are tenanted. That is a great national attribute.”

HRH The Prince of Wales’ charity the Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) has also thrown its weight behind the campaign. 

Keith Halstead, Princes Countryside Fund executive director, added: “We believe in thriving family farms and rural communities who are recognised for their role in creating a sustainable future for the countryside and our whole nation – through providing the food we eat, caring for nature and the environment, and looking after the beautiful British countryside which we all enjoy so much.”