The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society has named a new President – and she’s no stranger to championing British farming. The Right Honourable Baroness Minette Batters, a Wiltshire farmer, political campaigner and former president of the NFU, has taken on the honorary role ahead of this summer’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show.
Baroness Batters – now the 86th President in the Society’s long history – brings with her a formidable track record of national leadership. As the first female president of the National Farmers Union from 2018 to 2024, she steered British farming through Brexit, the pandemic, and pivotal policy reform. Now a crossbench peer in the House of Lords and recently appointed to lead DEFRA’s farm profitability review, she continues to influence national food and farming strategy at the highest level.
Taking up her new role as President of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, she said:
“I hope I can continue the legacy of those that have been President before. They’ve all done an amazing job.”
Based just over the Dorset border in Downton, where she runs a 300-acre mixed farm, Baroness Batters is a passionate advocate for the farming community. Her appointment is expected to bring new visibility to the Society’s education work – particularly its Student Support Fund, which helps local young people access land-based training and careers.
She added that in her new role she was most looking forward to hosting the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show which takes place on 13th and 14th August.
“It’s my local show so I’m just feeling very privileged to be involved. In this challenging economic climate, our county shows offer great value for money and a wonderful day out for the whole family.
The future is about being relevant to the customer, people who have grown up with the Show and attracting newcomers.”
Credit: Lawrence Looi / NFU
Now a registered charity, the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society has been a cornerstone of the community since 1860. Its annual Show – held at Turnpike Showground in Motcombe since 1993 – draws thousands of visitors and over 1,300 livestock entries, with a growing focus on heritage, education and innovation.
“Programmes like Clarkson’s Farm have brought farming to a new audience,” said Baroness Batters. “When I left the NFU I was so pleased to see how popular farming as a job that’s respected has become with the public. It’s second to nursing. The highest rating it’s ever had.”
