BBC Local Radio will launch its annual Farmwatch programming across England on Thursday, July 30, featuring live agricultural coverage, food pricing investigations, and a joint broadcast with Radio 4 soap opera The Archers.
The multi-platform event aims to highlight rural communities and the economic pressures facing modern agriculture.
Programmers designed this year's coverage to address rising household expenses, featuring a specialized 'Burgerflation' report analyzing the true cost of hosting a family barbecue.
Audience members can also view live agricultural operations through the new 'Mooscast' livestream, which tracks dairy cows moving from pastures to the milking parlour.
Meanwhile, BBC Local Radio presenters will participate in 'Farm Swap' segments to gain hands-on experience on local farms.
The evening broadcast schedule concludes with an all-England radio show hosted by Clarkson's Farm contributor Harriet Cowan alongside beef farmer and YouTuber Joe Seels across all 39 local stations.
Historic The Archers Broadcast
For the first time in network history, all 39 BBC Local Radio stations will simultaneously broadcast a special episode of The Archers alongside BBC Radio 4 to celebrate rural life.
'The Archers is the world's longest-running continuing drama and has always celebrated life and farming in rural England, ever since it began 75 years ago,' said Jeremy Howe, Editor of The Archers.
Howe highlighted the significance of the partnership across the network's local outlets.
'We are delighted to join up with BBC Local Radio's epic Farmwatch Day.
For the first time ever, BBC Local Radio will join with BBC Radio 4 and simultaneously broadcast this evening's (30th July's) specially written episode of The Archers across all thirty-nine local radio stations in a wonderful coming together of One BBC to celebrate life in rural Britain,' said Howe.
Network executives emphasized the deep local connections enabled by the regional network setup.
'BBC Farmwatch is a celebration of all things farming, the people, the passion and the vital role farming plays in all our lives,' said Chris Burns, Head of Local Audio Commissioning.
Burns emphasized the role of local radio in delivering the programming schedule.
'BBC Local is uniquely placed to deliver Farmwatch and we look forward to bringing these authentic stories to our listeners,' said Burns.
The full day of Farmwatch programming begins on July 30 across BBC Local Radio and connected platforms.
