Royal Visit to Forest Fruit Farm

The Countess of Wessex visited Newhouse Farm, home of the New Forest Fruit Company on Thursday, 18th June, in her role as an Honorary President of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). This independent charitable organisation helps farmers farm more sustainably through Integrated Farm Management and the New Forest Fruit Company has been involved with LEAF for over 10 years.

 

Kate Booth of New Forest Fruit Company commented: “We were delighted when Sophie, Countess of Wessex visited our farm. It was an honour and a privilege to show the Countess around the farm, sharing with her what we do, how we grow, and why we do what we do."

 

The visit focused on the environment, innovation and approaches to more sustainable farming, and the Countess expressed an interest in biological control, nutrition and understanding how the fruit
is grown.

 

Kate continues: "It was all about what we do, how we grow and lots of fruit tasting, including raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. We stopped by a strawberry trial field and the Countess had the chance to taste new varieties. Her favourite variety was Ania.”

 

The national press reported that the Countess had quipped that she’d eaten her own weight in fruit during the visit!