Harvest 2026

"In winter’s chill and summer’s heat, farmers work so we can eat."

On long-forgotten winter days, as the rain lashed down day after day and pre-Christmas snow fell; on blisteringly hot summer days; on all these days, farmers were working hard, milking cows, planting crops with no guarantee they would not drown in excess water, rot in soggy fields or burn in summer heat and harvesting what weather hadn’t destroyed.

The farming year 2025/6 has been one of the most challenging farmers have ever faced.  As the rest of us sort shelter from constant rain, bitter cold and searing heat, farmers have faced flood, drought, fire and even plague in the form of the midge-born disease blue-tongue, which affects cattle, sheep, goats and deer and has spread as far north as Cheshire in warmer conditions.

Farmers work long, lonely hours, giving tirelessly and generously of their time and energy so that we can eat.  If we eat 3 times a day we need a farmer 1,095 times a year; more if we snack in between. 

Unless we eat a diet of entirely ultra-processed food, a farmer somewhere in the world has worked hard to produce the food we eat, so often without much thought.

Our modern Harvest Festival, which only dates back to 1843, emphasises giving thanks to God, and to those who work so hard to produce the food we eat.  And there is a great deal to give thanks for.  Challenging as the Harvest has been this year, there is a Harvest to celebrate.  Amongst that Harvest in the UK are:-

12 billion eggs, which if placed end to end would go round the world 17 times

80 – 85% of the wheat needed to make 12 million loaves a day

Over 700 cheeses made from British Milk.

192 million strawberries to be consumed at Wimbledon alone.

Harvest 2026 has been challenging.  If your potatoes are smaller, your bread more expensive and vegetables an unusual shape, please pause and remember why that is.

Above all, if you’ve eaten today give thanks to God and don’t forget the farmer.

Revd Canon Anne Lawson

One way to give thanks for this year’s Harvest is to attend the National Harvest in Nantwich

Sunday 11 October

Activities and displays around the Square 10.00 – 2.30

Harvest Festival at 3.00 pm

The National Harvest Festival | Chester Diocese