BBC farming pioneer dies aged 90

3 April 2000



BBC farming pioneer dies aged 90

by FWi staff

THE BBCs first agriculture correspondent, Gloucestershire landowner John Green, has died at the age of 90.

Mr Green, who was headhunted by BBC director general Sir John Reith, was a vigorous promoter of the wartime campaign urging Britain to “Dig for Victory”.

He was involved in a campaign to encourage pig and poultry production and helped start the Farming Today programme, reports The Daily Telegraph.

From the 1920s, Stroud-born Mr Green lived in the 13th century Chedworth Manor on a 1000 acre farm.

Chedworth Manor was to be his home for the next 80 years.

Retiring from the BBC in 1962, Mr Green sought to pursue a political career, but failed to secure a Conservative candidacy.

He turned down other seats as these would take him too far from Chedworth.

Mr Green was president of the National Pig Breeders Association from 1955-56 and later a leading figure on the Council for the Protection of Rural England.