As Honorary President of Linking Environment And Farming, The Duchess of Edinburgh has written the foreword for the organisation’s Annual Report, highlighted the critical importance of addressing the shift in farming.
Her Royal Highness is a key advocate for raising awareness around food production and is also dedicated in connecting the next generation with the countryside and advocating for greater opportunities for young people to forge a career in the British food industry.
As Honorary President of LEAF, Sophie has written the foreword for the organisation. (LEAF)
Opening her message, Her Royal Highness stated that ‘farming is facing a time of immense change’, adding how ‘LEAF’s work in developing, demonstrating and communicating about more sustainable farming is of vital importance and never more so for our young people’.
At 2024’s Groundswell event, The Duchess of Edinburgh engaged in discussions on young people’s perceptions of farming, exploring how others can be inspired to enter the sector. She emphasised that ‘engaging future generations about how their food is produced and where it comes from is critical, both to the future of the agricultural industry, as well as for health and wellbeing’.
Sophie often hears how farming is changing and the impact it is having. (LEAF)
One of the most inspiring examples of sustainable farming in action is the Jordans Farm Partnership, according to Sophie. As part of a ‘Farm to Bowl’ tour, Her Royal Highness witnessed firsthand how LEAF collaborates with progressive farmers, food businesses, supermarkets, banks, environmental charities, schools, and universities. ‘It was a truly inspiring day and an outstanding example of how LEAF is working with progressive farmers, food businesses, supermarkets, banks, environmental charities, schools, and universities to promote the understanding and adoption of more environmentally sustainable farming practices,’ she stated.
By fostering partnerships and encouraging knowledge-sharing, LEAF ensures that best practices in environmentally responsible farming are not only developed but also widely adopted. This collaborative approach is essential in tackling the climate challenges that agriculture faces today.
The Duchess of Edinburgh hears how young individuals are inspiring others to take up sustainable farming. (LEAF)
The Honorary President spoke with high praise for the organisation, who according to Sophie, ‘has been a connecting force for good; bringing organisations and individuals together across the food and farming sector to address shared climate change challenges’.
The Duchess of Edinburgh stated that ‘farming is facing a time of immense change’. (LEAF)
Discussing how LEAF for ‘working hard to promote more sustainable farming’, Sophie notes how the organisation is also ‘strengthening everybody’s connection with farming and food production, helping to promote healthier lifestyles’ and also ‘building a sense of our own personal responsibility in protecting it’.
The Duchess, who turned 60 earlier this year, concludes her message by stating how ‘enormously proud of this important charity’ she is and looks forward to continue supporting ‘LEAF’s critical and inspiring objectives in 2025’.
