Britain’s famous The Black Farmer is due to launch what he claims is the country’s first online farm shop – by meeting a Government minister.
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, who owns a plot of land in Devon, will meet Minister of International Trade Ranil Jayawardena on Thursday, August 20, at the premises of butcher Jon Thorner’s of Shepton Mallet, to mark the launch of his new online farm business.
The minister is in the South West to talk to farmers and look at the work they are doing, and discuss how exports can be increased.
Mr Emmanuel-Jones said his online farm shop will be an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the great tasting produce that is produced in the South West.
The businessman, who started his company The Black Farmer more than 15 years ago, said: “I am proud to be the only black farmer and now I am launching this online farm shop with the help of Jon Thorner’s butchers.
“As well as showcasing our produce nationally I am keen to start exporting, so having a chance to meet the minister in charge of international trade is an opportunity to discuss with him how best to conquer these new territories”.
Mr Emmanuel-Jones, aged 62, received an MBE in December 2019 for services to farming, and said at the time that the agriculture industry "needs to be sexed up" in the way television chefs have changed catering.
After dreaming of owning a farm, as a child, he surprised associates when he bought the small plot, near Launceston, which is now used to rear livestock for his range of meats and cheeses.
"When I bought the farm people thought I was nuts," he said. "They just couldn't understand why would a black guy want to go down and buy a farm in Devon."
Mr Emmanuel-Jones has highlighted the strong divide between urban and rural Britons, which can be "like two separate countries".
He said he hopes his work raising awareness of farming and business could help bring the two sides of the country together and encourage urban-dwelling aspirational farmers to get involved.
The former television producer grew up in Birmingham after he and his family moved from Jamaica when he was three.
He has said: "If you're a foreigner and you grow up in an environment where you're treated as a foreigner, a migrant, you only really feel you belong when you own land. No-one can say you don't belong in the piece of England you're living in."
