Farmers descend on Westminster to stand up for nature

Last Wednesday farmers from every corner of the UK descended on Westminster to demand that the government prioritises nature friendly farming in the forthcoming Agriculture Bill. Members of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) came from as far afield as the Scottish Highlands and the Cornish coastline with an important message: put nature friendly, sustainable farming at the heart of policy to deliver food security for generations to come.

Nature Means Business

Farming with nature produces sustainable food for the country whilst also providing numerous benefits to the environment and society such as healthy soils, clean air and habitat restoration. It is the most profitable way to farm but the new Bill must commit to long-term funding that rewards farmers who are providing public goods. Greenhouse worked with the NFFN to devise the key messaging for their ‘Nature Means Business’ campaign and Parliamentary event. While the farmers were protesting outside the Houses of Parliament, we organised broadcast interviews with ITV London, ITV Anglia, ITV South West, ITV Tyne Tees and London Live. We also sent the story to our contacts in the farming trade and regional media which resulted in coverage in Farmers Weekly, The Scottish Farmer, Farming Life, Western Morning News, North Wales Daily Post and many more.  A total of 7 broadcast features and 14 online and print articles was secured, amplifying the voices of nature-friendly farmers across the country. Greenhouse organised for a Press Association photographer to capture the farmers protesting outside Westminster. This quality photography supported the sell in and the images have been made into social media assets to continue the debate online at #NatureMeansBusiness [caption id="attachment_2250142" align="aligncenter" width="661"] Photo credit: Tim Ireland/PA Wire[/caption]

Launching the Nature Friendly Farming Network

At the beginning of the year we launched the NFFN, and over the past ten months, the group has become an influential political force, helping to ensure the sustainable farming agenda is a key component of the Agriculture Bill. In January, our results included over 480 broadcast, print and online features, with a combined reach of over 20 million. During the week of the launch, 20 TV crews visited farms to film nature friendly farming in practice. The NFFN is encouraging advocates of nature friendly farming to share their experiences and support on the day using the hashtag #NatureMeansBusiness. If you have a great story to tell or are working towards positive change, we would love to hear from you. Contact the team on info@greenhousepr.co.uk or call 0117 214 1250.