The Duchess of Edinburgh visits Somerset

In Somerset today, as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations, The Duchess of Edinburgh attended the Field to Food Learning Day 2024 at the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet.

The Field to Food Learning Day is an annual day focused around educating the next generation about farming and food production. 

It has become an integral part of the Society’s work in informing and educating young consumers about where their food comes from, and the hard work farmers do to make sure we eat the very best of British food.

During HRH's time at the Showground, The Duchess took part in ‘plough to plate’ educational activities, learning about livestock, arable farming, horticulture, food, and machinery.

Later, Her Royal Highness visited Hazel Manor and the Yeo Valley Organic Garden in North Somerset to discover projects which are opening up the countryside and to learn more about sustainable farm and gardening practises.

Yeo Valley Organic is Britain’s largest organic dairy brand; the 14th biggest-selling online grocery brand in the UK; and the third largest yogurt brand in the UK.

The team at Yeo Valley highlighted multiple regenerative organic farming projects being undertaken across Yeo Valley’s own farms including mob grazing and agroforestry.

To conclude, Her Royal Highness visited the Yeo Valley Organic Garden and was hosted by Head Gardener, Sarah Mead and Yeo Valley co-founder Mary Mead OBE. The six-and-a-half-acre Soil Association certified ornamental garden was the inspiration behind the Autumnal Chelsea Flower Show in 2021, which was awarded an RHS Gold Medal and the BBC’s People’s Choice Award.