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In 1984, Britain’s ability to feed ourselves using the food produced here - our self-sufficiency level - sat at 78%. By 2020 that number had dropped to 60%.

As a valued supporter of British farming, we need your help to make sure that number does not fall any further.

British food is some of the highest quality, safest, and tastiest in the world. We have seen over the past challenging year how many people value locally-produced food and supporting local communities.

Add your name to our letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and let him know the importance you place on buying British food and seeing our home-grown food production increase. Click here to add your support to our letter.

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A big thank you to everyone who gave their support to Back British Farming Day on Wednesday and helped to make the day one of the best yet. Live events and social media interaction let everyone know the great things farmers are doing for us and our countryside. Click here for a full round-up of the best pictures from the day.

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Don't forget this month you can win this fantastic hedgetrimmer from Cobra worth £87.99. It makes light work of garden maintenance and will help you to breeze through your hedgetrimming without the fumes and noise of petrol, or the cord of electric, and we have three to give away! For your chance to win, click here.

We'd love to hear what you think about the latest issue of Countryside magazine, so we have put together a short survey. Anyone who completes the survey will be entered into our super prize draw to win a £50 M&S voucher. Just click here to give us your thoughts.

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Make the most of the abundance of berries that are available now, whether it's blackberries in local hedgerows, raspberries from your garden or blueberries in the supermarkets, they are fresh and tasty. Indulge yourself with this lovely recipe, which is an interesting take on a traditional scone.

Quiz challenge

Try your hand at our fun countryside quiz. Click here for the answers

1. Taxus is the Latin name for which tree?

2. Apimania is an obsession with which creatures?

3. A creance is the name of the long fine cord used in which country sport?

4. Which river runs past Balmoral Castle in Scotland?

5. Which drink is Worcestershire sauce traditionally added to?

6. What is affinage?

Member competitions

We have some amazing member competitions this month, including the chance to win a Cobra cordless mower, worth £594.99, a voucher for a two-night getaway in the beautiful British countryside with a choice of 39 venues, a bundle of quality socks worth £250, and much more. Take a look at all of our member competitions and enter here.  

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If you’re on the lookout for a new car, being a member of NFU Countryside can seriously pay dividends. NFU Countryside members can receive significant discounts on new vehicles with selected manufacturers, with savings on hatchbacks, saloons, estates and 4x4s, plus petrol, diesel, hybrid and full electric fuel types. Find out more and view the T&Cs and eligiblity guidelines here.