There are few industries that touch every one of us in the way that farming does. From the food on our plates to the landscapes that define our countryside, farming is at the heart of our communities, our economy and our national identity. That is why an initiative like BBC Farmwatch, combined with 草榴社区 Guardian's #Farm24 campaign, matters, to demonstrate and exposure the realities of modern farming to a wider audience.听
READ NOW:听#farm24 kicks off with a bang - it's time to tell farming's story
On Thursday July 30, BBC Local Radio stations across England will once again come together for BBC Farmwatch. At its heart, this is a celebration of the people who power British farming. Their resilience, innovation and dedication. It is a chance to recognise the people whose work often goes unnoticed, but whose contribution is essential to all of us. It is also an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about the future of farming and hear what matters most to those working within the industry.听
Throughout the day, audiences will hear directly from the people who rise before dawn to tend crops, care for livestock and milk cows, on farms of all sizes. Like Charlie a 13-year-old from Cornwall who saved up his pocket money to buy a cow, who he calls Clare and now has his own dairy business.听听
We want audiences to experience farming life as it听 happens. That's why we're introducing 'Mooscast', a livestream following cows from the field to the milking parlour. It offers a fascinating window into the daily routines that keep our food system moving and highlights the skill, care and commitment involved in modern dairy farming.听
READ NOW:听6 ways to tell farming's story for this year's #farm24
We'll also hear about the daily challenges many people are facing, including the rising cost of food, an issue that affects us all. In Burgerflation, a special investigation by BBC Radio Lincoln and BBC Radio Humberside, we uncover just how much a summer barbecue is really costing families this year.
We'll also explore some of the innovative ways communities are responding to the challenge of food affordability, including a community market garden in Bristol run by urban farmers and volunteers. The project provides local families with fresh fruit and vegetables every week on a pay-what-you-can basis, while any surplus produce is sold to other community projects in the area, helping to support even more people.听 听
Across the day, BBC Local Radio presenters will leave the sanctity and safety of their studios to take part in "Farm Swap" and roll up their sleeves to immerse themselves in farming life. You will hear them working on the harvest, caring for livestock or experiencing the practical realities of running a farm. We hope this will provide a genuine insight into life on the land.听
Farmwatch also demonstrates the power of collaboration across the BBC and we're delighted that The Archers, the UK's most famous fictional farming community, will be joining in on Farmwatch. Seven o'clock across BBC Local that day will sound a little different.听听
It is a wonderful example of how different parts of the BBC can come together to celebrate rural life and tell stories that resonate with audiences across the country.听
BBC Farmwatch showcases the unique role the BBC and BBC Local Radio plays in serving communities. No other broadcaster has the local knowledge or trusted relationships that enables us to tell these stories at such scale. Wherever you are, our teams are embedded with you, which makes starting up a conversation so much easier.听
So, whether you're a farmer, live in a rural community, or simply want to know more about where your food comes from, I hope you'll join us for BBC Farmwatch on Thursday July 30 across BBC Local Radio, TV, Online, and live on social media.听
Because behind every meal, every harvest and every landscape, there are people with remarkable stories to tell, and BBC Farmwatch is proud to share them with you.听
