Harvest

De: Minette Batters

Brought to you by Penguin.

Minette Batters was the first female president of the National Farmers’ Union in its 109-year history. During that time, she fought tooth and nail for the interests of farmers, never afraid to put her head above the parapet.

But Minette’s expertise in British farming spanned many more years than her presidency. In fact, the union was the third act of a life lived at the heart of the farming community: first, she was born and raised on a farm and, even after her father warned her there was no future in farming, her heart brought her home to take over the family farm. In her third act, as advocate for the UK’s farming industry, she became not only a life-long farmer but 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. So, who better to understand how British farming really works?

Blending memoir and manifesto, this book will be a powerful insight into the real life of farmers, a love letter to British rural life, and a rallying cry to save it – and how.

© Minette Batters 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Reseñas de la Crítica

'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.

As a lifelong farmer and agriculture expert, Minette brings a unique and very real insight into the reality of farming – a must-read. (Jamie Oliver)