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"It all starts with a farmer": Farm-Fest stars highlight importance of #farm24 and telling agriculture's story

Farm-Fest ambassadors Adam Henson, Harriet Cowan and Damien Barson have highlighted the importance of helping consumers better understand British agriculture as ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian launched this year’s Farm24 campaign at the festival

Tom Ryder
clock • 2 min read
Harriet Cowan: "Events like Farm24 get a load of farmers together that want to showcase how important it is that we support British farming"
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Harriet Cowan: "Events like Farm24 get a load of farmers together that want to showcase how important it is that we support British farming"

Farm24 returns on August 6-7 and encourages farmers, contractors, vets, others working across the agricultural industry to share a snapshot of their day on social media, giving the public a behind-the-scenes look at modern farming.

Speaking at Farm-Fest, farmer and broadcaster Adam Henson said initiatives which connect consumers with food production were vital.

"It all starts with a farmer," he said.

READ NOW:ÌýThousands at Farm-Fest hear Clarkson's Farm and Countryfile stars call for next generation of farmers

Farming in the public eye

"We all eat three times a day, or sometimes more. The way we produce our food is intrinsically linked to the health of our environment, the social structure of the countryside and what we consume.

"We should be celebrating the British farmer."

Asked what he would like members of the public to take away from the event, Mr Henson said: "To spare a thought, next time you pick some food off a supermarket shelf, where it has come from and how it has been produced."

WATCH NOW: Farm24 is back!Ìý

Harriet Cowan

Clarkson's Farm star Harriet Cowan said campaigns such as Farm24 help show the realities of life on a farm.

"Showing 24 hours in a farmer's life is the real harsh reality of farming," she said.

"Something goes wrong and you end up working longer hours than you actually should."

Ms Cowan said events such as Farm24 and Farm-Fest helped farmers share their experiences directly with the public.

"Events like Farm24 and events like today get a load of farmers together that want to showcase how important it is that we support British farming," she said.

Farm24 ambassador Damien Barson, better known as Tessleymoor Farm, said the campaign also demonstrated that agriculture was open to people from a wide range of backgrounds.

"I think it is important not just to champion farming in the younger generation, but across a broader spectrum of gender, age and abilities," he said.

"I wasn't from farming, so as a first-generation farmer, I think it is really important to champion what we are about and what we do."

When is 24 Hours in Farming?

Farm24 will take place on August 6-7, with people from across farming encouraged to share their stories online using the hashtag #farm24.

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