Farming in the UK

A new addition to the GeoLibrary is the latest book by Charlie Pye-Smith.

It explores the realities of UK farming, and how it has developed over the decades.


Described as follows on Charles' website.

While interest in the natural world is flourishing, most people have to go back several generations or more before they can find an ancestor who worked on the land. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority are ignorant about country matters and have only the haziest knowledge about the people who are supplying us with the most essential thing in life: our daily bread and butter, meat and fish, fruit and vegetables. Travelling around Britain during the past year, Charlie Pye-Smith shines a light on this most vital national industry.

The great British countryside has changed immeasurably over the past century. Land of Plenty explores its past, present and future alongside topics such as agricultural labour, self-sufficiency in food production, farming subsidies and Brexit. Covering the dairy industry in Somerset and Gloucestershire; beef in the Scottish Borders; sheep in North Yorkshire; pigs and poultry in East Anglia and Hampshire; vegetables in Norfolk; fruit in Essex and the West Country, Land of Plenty captures an industry with a remarkable ability to adapt and embrace innovation.

There have been some interesting stories in the press and elsewhere over the last month or so relating to how Brexit might impact the UK's farmers: will they lose out on subsidies, or thrive in a new situation where people support and buy British food far more?

Comments