
Harvest
Minette Batters(Author)
Ebury Press
Published on 28. May 2026
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-5299-5389-3 (ISBN)
Description
'A powerful voice for things that matter' JAMES REBANKS
'Absolutely brilliant' JEREMY CLARKSON
'A must-read' JAMIE OLIVER
The first female president of the National Farmers' Union in its 109-year history tells the story of how she fought tooth and nail for British farms through some of the country's most tumultuous years - and what we need to do next.
Born and raised on a small farm, Minette's love for farming never wavered. Even after her father warned her there was no future in farming, her heart brought her home to take over the family business. While running the farm, managing her successful catering business and raising her twins, she joined the NFU to help advocate for locally grown food and the people who feed us. In her third act, as advocate for the UK's farming industry, she became the most visible agriculture expert in the UK, at a time when Brexit, Covid and international conflict has pushed our farms, and our food production, to a state of crisis. Who better to guide us through the political landscape that surrounds how we feed the nation and what our farmers need to thrive?
Blending memoir and manifesto, this book is a powerful insight into the real lives of farmers, a love letter to British rural life, and a rallying cry to save it - and how.
'Absolutely brilliant' JEREMY CLARKSON
'A must-read' JAMIE OLIVER
The first female president of the National Farmers' Union in its 109-year history tells the story of how she fought tooth and nail for British farms through some of the country's most tumultuous years - and what we need to do next.
Born and raised on a small farm, Minette's love for farming never wavered. Even after her father warned her there was no future in farming, her heart brought her home to take over the family business. While running the farm, managing her successful catering business and raising her twins, she joined the NFU to help advocate for locally grown food and the people who feed us. In her third act, as advocate for the UK's farming industry, she became the most visible agriculture expert in the UK, at a time when Brexit, Covid and international conflict has pushed our farms, and our food production, to a state of crisis. Who better to guide us through the political landscape that surrounds how we feed the nation and what our farmers need to thrive?
Blending memoir and manifesto, this book is a powerful insight into the real lives of farmers, a love letter to British rural life, and a rallying cry to save it - and how.
Reviews / Votes
'Absolutely brilliant. Minette is the busiest person I've ever heard of. Never has a book made me feel so inadequate' -- Jeremy Clarkson, author of 'Diddly Squat' One of the few people in public life to come of Brexit with her reputation enhanced - no small feat for a tenant farmer and caterer with a fear of public speaking. A bastion of common sense about how much we needed farmers, she is the most impressive leader farmers have had for a very long time. As the first woman president of the NFU she has transcended agriculture, becoming a powerful voice for things that matter. -- James Rebanks, author of 'The Place of Tides', 'English Pastoral' and 'The Shepherd's Life' Her passion for British agriculture shines through in everything she does. * Farmer's Weekly * As a lifelong farmer and agriculture expert, Minette brings a unique and very real insight into the reality of farming - a must-read. -- Jamie OliverMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Ebury Publishing
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
522 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5299-5389-3 (9781529953893)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Minette Batters is an award-winning British farmer who was the president of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales from 2018 to 2024. She has been a member of the House of Lords since 2024, and has run Barford Park Farm for decades. She is one of the most respected voices in British agriculture, advising both farmers and government, and is a columnist for Country Life.