The business of farming and agriculture takes centre stage today on the first day of the Kent Show.

It opened with a breakfast hosted by the Kent Institute of Directors a talk by Tom Hart-Dyke, the illustrious plant hunter, horticulturalist and entrepreneur from Lullingstone Castle.

It continued with the opening of the latest "Why Farming Matters in Kent" project, which includes a website, interactive displays, marketing literature and educational material. It is backed by a number of organisations, including the National Farmers Union, Kent County Agricultural Society, the Country Land and Business Association, Mid Kent Training and Hadlow College.

Show organisers pledged to restore agriculture to the heart of the expo, held at Detling, and the stand opposite the main gate enables visitors to learn something new about farming, the countryside and where food comes from.

It is in four sections and features livestock with cookery demonstrations, machinery, the history of beer told by 300-year old Faversham brewer Shepherd Neame, and the environment.

This section explains farming’s role in the protection of resources such as water and soil, how farmers can help wild birds thrive and how balanced farmland management provides a good environment for wildlife.

Visitors can also see sheep shearing demonstrations by Hadlow College, as well as an agricultural mock auction run by Hobbs Parker and Lambert & Foster.

Roz Day, honorary director at the Kent County Agricultural Society, organisers of the show, said, "It is vital that the public understand where their food comes from and where they can buy good value local produce. By supporting farming in Kent, we are able to encourage high standards in animal welfare, contribute to rural tourism and most importantly cut down on food miles".