Anna Powell

Four years after environmental horticulture became the first sector hit by the full impacts of Brexit checks, businesses are still grappling with soaring costs, significant delays, stock damage, and excessive bureaucracy. These challenges drive up costs and limit consumer choice, leaving the industry in an increasingly precarious position. The UK’s environmental horticulture sector is a […]

Branston is once again encouraging schools to sign up for the Grow Your Own Potatoes programme this year, as one of the sponsors of the primary school-based farm to fork initiative. Designed to educate children about where their food comes from, how to grow potatoes, and how they form part of a healthy, balanced diet, […]

A new study led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) in collaboration with the University of East Anglia (UEA) predicts that future warmer temperatures in this country would be suitable for a variety of produce such as oranges, chickpeas and okra that are traditionally grown in warmer parts of the world. Scientists […]

The James Hutton Institute is very pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Rob Brooker as Executive Director of Science, effective from 1st March 2025. A plant ecologist with more than 25 years of research experience, Professor Brooker joined the Hutton (initially the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute) in 2006 and is currently Head of […]

Botanicoir, a family-run specialist in sustainable coir substrate production, proudly marks its 20th anniversary in 2025, and will celebrate the milestone with events throughout the year for its team, customers and partners. Since it was founded in 2005, the company has grown into a leading trusted supplier for the commercial protected cultivation industry, providing high-quality, […]

The Council of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the organisation’s ruling body of elected farming and growing members, voted overwhelmingly today to stage a campaign moment in London in February as part of its drive to halt the Family Farm Tax, and also to support a planned rally proposed by a group of farmers in […]

After being planted in July 2021, Hadlow College’s three-hectare orchard had its first harvest last year (2024), with students playing a key role in the process and the end result is the bottling of the College’s first batch of apple juice which is available at the College’s own events. It is hoped to be able to make […]

UK Growers have warned that the market will need to fund additional costs resulting from increases in the national living wage and the rise in employers National Insurance contributions announced in the Budget. In a recent statement, British Growers pointed out that while the industry has done a remarkable job in managing production costs and […]

The Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society has said that it believes the country can continue to boost its seed potato exports in the coming year, even as negotiations continue with the European Commission about allowing Scottish seed potatoes back into the EU market. Patrick Hughes from the Scottish Agri Export Hub told FreshPlaza, that he hopes […]

Blackcurrant growers have met with their local MPs and Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner at a Parliamentary reception organised by Ribena producer Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I. According to reports, the event provided an opportunity to talk through challenges, as well as opportunities for innovation and investment, as well […]