The National Farmers’ Union of Wales (NFU Cymru) has said that this year’s Celebration of Welsh Food & Farming Week will promote a positive message in relation to Welsh agriculture.
The union said that, following the success of the first edition of the event last year, it has once again organised a week-long campaign of activities related to Welsh food and agriculture.
The week will kick off on Monday, June 19, 2023, and the union is urging Welsh farmers to take to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to highlight the “importance of Welsh farming to Wales and its communities”.
Farmers are being encouraged to tweet using the hashtags #WelshFarmingWeek and #WythnosFfermioCymreig and tag NFU Cymru in their posts.
NFU Cymru president Aled Jones said: “Given the success of last year’s Welsh Farming Week it was an easy decision for us as a union to try and build on the fantastic support we received and to make this year’s event even bigger and better.
“There is no getting away from the fact that Welsh farming is facing significant challenges at present and has done for some time.
“This week is about spreading positive messaging about our role in feeding the nation healthy, climate friendly food, while enhancing the environment and ensuring prosperous rural communities.”
Jones said he hopes that the “exciting week” of activities will see the industry unite to champion Welsh agriculture.
Celebration of Welsh Food & Farming Week
On Tuesday, June 20, NFU Cymru will host an event at the Senedd and launch its new policy document on the next generation of farmers, featuring key asks for politicians around future support.
Members of NFU Cymru’s Next Generation Group will also attend a primary school in Barry to find out more about the Big Box Bwyd initiative.
The following day on Wednesday, June 21, the union will host a virtual live lesson in both English and Welsh language for school children across the country to learn more about the farming industry and “where their food comes from”.
The event will be free for all schools to attend and registering can be done via the NFU Cymru website, where more resources are also available.
Day four of the Celebration of Welsh Food & Farming Week on Thursday, June 22, will see a school leaders event take place at Bwlchwernen Fawr, Lampeter.
The purpose of the event, NFU Cymru said, will be to discuss how schools can introduce more local and seasonal foods into their kitchens.
It will also focus on how learning about food can be integrated into school curriculums.
The week of activity will finish up on Friday, June 23, with Members of the Senedd (MSs) invited to local on-farm meetings across Wales.
The visits aim to provide opportunities for union members to engage with MSs to discuss the opportunities facing Welsh agriculture.
Speaking on the week of activities, NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader said: “I am really excited to be joining these activities throughout the second Celebration of Welsh Food & Farming Week.
“This is a brilliant opportunity for us to ensure politicians, stakeholders and the Welsh public understand the importance of Welsh farming and it’s important that all our members help us spread the positivity, whether that’s via social media, by attending the events we have planned, or hosting on-farm visits.
“We can all play a part in making this week a huge success.”
