Sam Pennington

Long standing farming roots, firmly embedded in Gloucestershire
The Gloucestershire Root Fruit and Grain Society, run by farmers for farmers is very much alive today…

With a long standing history, the society born in 1863, from two farmers whocame to blows in a Gloucester Market, each claiming to grow better crops than the other. A peacemaker suggested that specimens be brought to Gloucester where independent judges would pronounce. The event attracted crowds of interested farmers and from that day, The Gloucestershire Root Fruit and Grain Society was formed.

Since it began, GRFGS has gained a huge following from the Gloucestershire farming and agricultural community, its society members, and the professional communities that support it. The aim of the society is to ‘Promote Farming Excellence through Competition’. Over the decades and despite farming having endured periods of uncertainty, with food security being under the worlds spotlight, the need for good, quality, locally grown food produce has become at the forefront of everyone’s mind and no more so than in Gloucestershire.

Pride in locally grown produce and a willingness to showcase the best practices in agriculture have returned to the farming industry, evident in the growing number of members The Gloucestershire Root Fruit and Grain Society has.

GRFGS is headed by its President, Roger Bush, Chairman, Andrew Walters of Boddington Estates and run by the society’s Honorary Treasurer and secretary, Samantha Pennington of Bruton Knowles. Along with a history of support from Bruton Knowles and Gloucestershire’s good and great of the farming world, the society was also honoured by HRH The Prince of Wales who became a society Patron in 1984.

Each year the GRFGS organise a host of events for the society which include the two key annual competing events:

The Annual Farming Awards
The Gloucestershire Root Fruit & Grain Society Annual Dinner and Prize Presentations including the most sought after and fiercely fought prestigious Premier Award for most points in all classes is hosted annually by the society and the event just gets bigger each year with over 250 guests from the good and the great of the Gloucestershire farming community attending the evening awards.

Bi-Annual Tillage Event
Gloucestershire farmers take part in the bi-annual Tillage Event. Organised by the Gloucestershire Root Fruit and Grain Society, the event is attended by more than 800 farmers. With working demonstrations, farmers have a chance to
see how some really impressive cutting edge machines perform and with tractors averaging £100,000 each, there are literally millions of pounds worth of new equipment on show.

The diversity and involvement of member’s farming business’ is what makes the GRFGS so successful and we look forward to a continued long history of support for Gloucestershire farming community.

To find out more about sponsorship, our events or becoming a member contact:

Sam Pennington
Tel: 01452 880101
Email: sam.pennington@ brutonknowles.co.uk

Website: www.grfgs.com