Downton farmer and Baroness taking on African cycling challenge

Minette Batters will ride 75km across Kenya for Farm Africa

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 9th Oct 2024

A farmer from Downton, who sits in the House of Lords, is taking on a cycling challenge alongside a group of all women for an African charity.

Baroness Minette Batters, the former President of the National Farmers Union, is due to ride 75km across Kenya for Farm Africa later this month.

She's part of a 12 strong team of females raising funds and awareness for the cause, supporting a regenerative agriculture project.

Minette (second from left) with other members of the Farm Africa Cycle Challenge team

Minette said: “As a farmer in England, I want to be able to help and share my experiences to support fellow farmers in East Africa who face far greater challenges than I do. I know I will have much to learn from them too.”

Farm Africa works to open up new opportunities for female farmers across eastern Africa, helping them to develop new streams of income and work their way out of poverty, while protecting local ecosystems for generations to come.

The charity aims to help farms in east Africa to become sustainable and thrive

Minette is an ambassador for the charity and says she's looking forward to visiting 'the regenerative farming practices taking place in the Grow for Good challenge. I’ve run in two marathons for Farm Africa and I’m really excited to be going to Africa and meeting the farmers.'

She's already raised over £7,000 on her own fundraising page |newtab), with the team aiming to collectively bring in £75,000.

Anissa Msallem, Head of Partnerships for Farm Africa, said:

"The GROW for Good Challenge is bringing together women across the global food system around the power of sustainable agriculture to change people’s lives and protect the environment. We are grateful to them for taking on this unique challenge and the impact they will make."

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