Celebrating the International Day of Rural Women – 15th October

Every year on 15th October, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women, a day dedicated to recognising the vital role women play in sustaining rural communities, supporting food systems, and driving local economies. 

From farmers and fishers to entrepreneurs and carers, rural women are the backbone of countless communities, often working tirelessly with limited resources and recognition.

Why This Day Matters

Established by the United Nations in 2007, the International Day of Rural Women highlights the contributions of women who live and work outside urban centres — often in environments where access to education, healthcare, technology, and financial services is limited. 

Despite these challenges, rural women produce much of the world’s food, preserve traditional knowledge, and form the heart of family and community life.

In the UK, women are increasingly taking leadership roles in farming and rural business. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), nearly a third of all farm owners and managers are now women, and the number continues to rise.

Many are also branching out into farm diversification, creating rural tourism ventures, artisan food brands, and sustainable crafts that help keep local economies alive.

The Hidden Strength of Rural Women

Across the globe, rural women face unique challenges, from unstable markets to unequal access to land ownership and financing. Yet, their resilience is remarkable.

Consider the women who run family farms while raising children, manage small-scale food businesses from home kitchens, or volunteer in local community hubs. 

These women are innovators, educators, and caretakers. They’re finding creative ways to make rural life sustainable and vibrant, from embracing regenerative agriculture to leading local green energy initiatives.

Empowering Rural Women

Empowerment comes through access, to education, healthcare, digital connectivity, and fair markets. By supporting rural women, we’re not just investing in individuals, we’re strengthening entire communities.

Here are a few simple ways to make a difference:

Buy local – Support women-led farms, bakeries, and artisan producers.

Share their stories – Use social media to highlight rural women making an impact.

Encourage education – Support charities that provide training and scholarships for rural women and girls.

Advocate for fair policy – Encourage fair land ownership laws and access to financial services for women in rural areas.

A Future Built on Equality

The theme of this year’s International Day of Rural Women (2025) is “Rural Women: Building Sustainable Futures” a powerful reminder that gender equality is key to achieving food security, environmental resilience, and rural prosperity.

By recognising and supporting rural women, we’re celebrating more than their contributions — we’re helping to build a fairer, greener, and more inclusive world.

Learn more and get involved:

United Nations – International Day of Rural Women https://www.un.org/en/observances/rural-women-day

UK Women in Farming and Agriculture https://www.nfuonline.com

The Prince’s Countryside Fund https://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk

Oxbury: The UK Agricultural Bank Supporting Farmers with Tailored Finance

Running a farm is unlike running any other business. 

With seasonal cashflow, unpredictable weather, and long-term investment needs, farmers often find that traditional banks don’t fully understand their world. 

That’s where Oxbury Bank, the UK’s only dedicated agricultural bank, steps in.

Launched in 2021, Oxbury was created specifically to provide farming finance solutions for British agriculture. Its goal is simple: to support UK farmers with the right kind of financial products and help build a more sustainable food system.

What Makes Oxbury Different?

Unlike high street lenders, Oxbury is focused entirely on agriculture. This specialism means it can design agricultural loans and savings products that truly fit the needs of farmers.

Some of the standout features include:

Tailored Farming Finance – Oxbury understands the unique cashflow cycles of farming. Its products include seasonal loans and asset finance designed to help with everything from buying machinery to investing in livestock.

Oxbury Farm Credit – This flexible finance option allows farmers to purchase essentials like seed, fertiliser, or feed and spread the cost in line with income.

Digital-First Banking – Farmers can manage accounts easily through Oxbury’s digital platform, reducing reliance on branches and making rural banking more convenient.

Sustainable Farming Support – Oxbury has a strong focus on green finance, helping farmers adopt low-carbon and regenerative practices through dedicated funding options.

How Oxbury Supports British Farmers

Oxbury isn’t just a bank — it positions itself as a partner to UK agriculture. It recognises that farming is the backbone of Britain’s food supply and aims to provide financial services that strengthen the sector.

For farmers, Oxbury’s agricultural loans and credit facilities provide the breathing room needed to manage unpredictable costs and invest for the future.

For savers, Oxbury offers accounts that directly fund British farming. Instead of money disappearing into generic investments, deposits are used to support UK farm businesses.

This makes Oxbury particularly attractive for individuals who want their savings to back British agriculture while earning a competitive return.

Why Oxbury Matters

With many mainstream banks scaling back their rural services, Oxbury has stepped in to fill an important gap. By combining deep farming knowledge with modern financial tools, it offers a rare mix of personal understanding and digital efficiency.

Key reasons Oxbury stands out include:

100% focus on agriculture and farming finance

Agricultural loans designed around real farming cycles

Green funding that supports sustainable farming practices

Savings products that let individuals invest in British agriculture

In a changing world, British farmers need more than generic financial support — they need a banking partner that understands the soil beneath their feet. As the only dedicated UK agricultural bank, Oxbury is helping farmers manage their businesses today while preparing for a greener, more resilient future.

For anyone involved in farming, or simply looking to invest in the UK’s food system, Oxbury offers a fresh approach to agricultural banking — one rooted in understanding, sustainability, and long-term growth.

We met with the friendly Oxbury team at the 2025 Dairy Day Show and were most impressed.

https://www.oxbury.com

Want to know where your nearest farm shop is? The Farm Shop Guide will Launch 21 October

The Farm Shop Guide, a new foodie guide, will be launching on 21 October 2024. It's from Printslinger, the innovative independent publisher behind The Extra Mile (Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services), and The Coastal Café Guide, both Amazon #1 bestsellers in 2024.  

Founder of Riverford Organic and veg box pioneer, Guy Singh-Watson, said, “Proper farm shops, ones that actually grow, rear, or make most of their own produce with love, attention to detail, and a genuine connection to the land are genuinely a beautiful thing. This book will help you find them.”

Promoting Britain's homegrown food networks, The Farm Shop Guide features 165 independent (and often smaller and family-run) farm shops across England, Scotland, and Wales, plus their highly rated cafés and restaurants.

The guide has everything from shops that are bedecked with multiple awards to muddier, down-to-earth places where the person at the till has just come in from the fields. 

The guide also promotes 15 food and farming charities to raise awareness of their vital work, and 1% of its sales will go to the Sustainable Food Trust.

Book highlights

165 farm shops and their cafés and restaurants

Seasonal farm events including Easter, Halloween, and Christmas activities

Info on pick-your-own (PYO) crops, food festivals, and farmers' markets

Icons to help trip-planners, such as dog friendly, family friendly, EV charging, parking, etc.

Eight geographic sections, with separate chapters on Scotland and Wales

Nine striking full-colour maps

15 food-related charities are featured, including RSPB Fair to Nature, Nature Friendly Farming, Community Supported Agriculture, and Pasture for Life

264 full-colour pages with beautiful photography and maps throughout

As we previously mentioned a donation will be made to the Sustainable Food Trust for every book sold.

Learn about places with family-friendly farm activities.

Find out in advance which farm shops have EV charging for their customers

Halloween event round-ups and pick-your-own pumpkins (PYO)

A round up of places that offer PYO fruit, vegetables, Christmas trees, sunflowers, and more besides.

Farms with PYO flower fields. This would make a lovely Mother's Day activity

Award-winning farm shops (Farm Retail Awards winners and many more)

Farm shops near motorway junctions to break journeys in truly rural style

Farm shops by region: the book has chapters on Scotland; North; Midlands; Wales; East Anglia; South West (North); South West (South); South and South East

Praise for The Farm Shop Guide

The go-to guide for those seeking deliciously fresh local food when on their day trips, holidays and commutes, The Farm Shop Guide will also make everyday eating and food shopping more enjoyable and locally beneficial, too.

Helen Browning OBE is an organic farmer, farm shop owner, and CEO of the Soil Association. Helen said, “Nothing beats a good farm shop as a way of getting the freshest food possible, while directly supporting fantastic farmers.”

Jane Gray is Director of Broom House Farm, Durham, which features in the book. Jane said, “So many farm shops like ours are slightly off the beaten track, with holidaymakers stumbling across us just as they're going home. The Farm Shop Guide is going to be such a help.” 

The Series is edited by Alastair Sawday.

Printslinger is an independent publishing company owned by travel publisher Alastair Sawday, an environmental activist and longstanding campaigner for local food, low food miles, and sustainable travel.

Alastair said, “The farm shops, cafés, and restaurants in this book deserve our support and this comprehensive guide will give them a genuine boost. 

"Some of the places are rackety and delightfully chaotic; some are tiny places right on the farm; others have become quite huge. 

"But the thing is, they are all fun to shop in, with real human beings on hand to help and provide an unusual connection with the local land (and my goodness, we need our farms and farmers). Buying and using this book is a great way to support them.”

How to buy The Farm Shop Guide

ISBN: 9781738481811

RRP £17.99

Pre-order on Amazon

Buy direct from Printslinger https://theextramile.guide/shop

We at That's Food and Drink believe this will make a superb stocking filler this Christmas for the dedicated foodies in your life.

Exploring the British Countryside: A Guide to Finding Charming Farm Shops

Venturing into the verdant expanse of the British countryside is a journey brimming with picturesque landscapes, quaint villages, and, of course, charming farm shops. 

These hidden gems not only offer an authentic taste of rural life but also provide an opportunity to connect with local producers and indulge in fresh, seasonal delights. 

If you're eager to embark on a gastronomic adventure through the heart of Britain, here's a handy guide on how to uncover these delightful establishments.

1. Embrace the Wanderlust:

One of the joys of exploring the British countryside is the serendipity of discovery. While modern technology has its merits, sometimes the best experiences come from simply setting off on a leisurely drive or a meandering walk along country lanes. Keep an eye out for signs pointing towards farm shops, often adorned with rustic charm and inviting imagery of fresh produce.

2. Consult Local Directories:

In an age where information is at our fingertips, tapping into local directories can be immensely helpful in pinpointing nearby farm shops. Whether it's a printed guide, a community website, or a smartphone app, these resources often provide comprehensive listings of farm shops in specific regions. Additionally, they may include valuable insights such as opening hours, specialties, and customer reviews.

3. Engage with Locals:

The British countryside is renowned for its warm hospitality, and locals are often more than willing to share their insider knowledge. Strike up a conversation with villagers, innkeepers, or fellow travellers,  you never know what hidden gems they might unveil. Their recommendations could lead you to lesser-known farm shops cherished by the community, offering a truly authentic experience.

4. Explore Farmers' Markets:

Farmers' markets are vibrant hubs of culinary delights, showcasing the best of local produce and artisanal crafts. While not farm shops per se, they often feature stalls operated by nearby farms, providing an excellent opportunity to sample their offerings and gather information about their locations. Many farmers' markets operate on weekends and special occasions, making them a delightful addition to any countryside excursion. Some British market towns still operate their traditional markets, some having operated for 1,000 years or more.

5. Harness the Power of Social Media:

In today's interconnected world, social media platforms can serve as valuable tools for discovering hidden gems. Follow local farm shops, agricultural associations, and food enthusiasts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Not only will you stay updated on their latest offerings and events, but you may also stumble upon recommendations from fellow food lovers or announcements about pop-up markets and farm-to-table experiences.

6. Plan a Countryside Tour:

For those eager to delve deeper into the rural landscape, consider planning a dedicated countryside tour focused on farm shop exploration. Whether self-guided or organized through tour operators, these itineraries can take you on a curated journey through bucolic scenery, stopping at farm shops along the way to sample regional delicacies, meet local producers, and gain insights into traditional farming practices.

7. Let Your Senses Guide You:

Above all, allow your senses to guide you on your quest for farm shops in the British countryside. Keep an ear out for whispers of local markets or the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. Follow the winding lanes that beckon with promises of hidden treasures, and be prepared to be enchanted by the sights, sounds, and flavors that await around every corner.

In conclusion, exploring farm shops in the British countryside is not just about sourcing fresh produce; it's an invitation to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of rural life, forge connections with local communities, and savour the simple pleasures of the land. So, lace up your walking boots, pack a picnic basket, and embark on a culinary adventure through the idyllic landscapes of Britain's green and pleasant land. Happy exploring!

Incidentally you may find the Farm Retail Association to be of help: https://farmretail.co.uk