The 'Future of Farming Awards' scheme has been established to celebrate environmental excellence and innovation in wildlife-friendly farming. It recognises farmers like Chris and David who have made the greatest contribution to both conserving England's special wildlife and landscapes, and helping people have greater access to our natural environment.
Chris Dowse, Estate Manager for Sir Richard Sutton's Settled Estates, based at Hall Farm in Stainton-le-Vale, near Market Rasen, won the regional Future of Farming Award for his innovation and achievement in managing the natural environment sustainably.
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Mr Dowse, 58, said:
"I am absolutely thrilled to win this regional award from Natural England. For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by birds, insects and the natural environment, which led me to a career in farming. I truly believe that it is impossible to separate the environment from running a successful farm business. I will certainly be keeping my fingers crossed when they announce the national winner too!" |
The 3000 hectare arable farm hosts dozens of group visits each year and receives Entry Level and Organic Entry Level Stewardship grants from Natural England, and hopes to enter the Higher Level Scheme soon. Organically raised beef is slaughtered locally and sold in box schemes across the country and in Waitrose.
David Hutchinson, 42, was nominated as the runner up for his commitment to biodiversity work and protection of historic landscape features. He has lived and worked all his life at Manor Farm in Strixton, Wellingborough - a 300-hectare, mainly arable, commercial farm.
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David said:
"We are delighted to be recognised by Natural England for what we have achieved on the farm. Since we changed our techniques a year ago, we have seen a dramatic increase in the variety and quantity of wildlife, which is great to see on an arable farm. We have far more English Partridge, lapwings, brown hares, waders and finches as well as rare birds including the Little Ringed Plover." |
Additionally, Mr Hutchinson is converting a Dutch Barn to office accommodation with a low carbon input and energy requirement. He hope's to offset the carbon created in the construction to the land and crops by further changing farming techniques. The farm produces oilseeds for vegetable oils, now important for biofuels as well as food, and wheat is grown and sold to local mills, which reduces transportation.
Natural England launched The Future of Farming Awards Scheme at this year's Royal Show in July. Since then the judging panels made up of Natural England's experts together with representatives of the National Farmers Union and the Countryside Landowners Association have been busy scrutinizing applications from up and down the country.
Geoff Sansome, Natural England's East Midlands Regional Director, said:
"It was a close finish between Mr Dowse and Mr Hutchinson and I am delighted to offer my congratulations to them both as they truly deserve this acknowledgment. The awards will give all the regional finalists the recognition they deserve for the important achievements of farmers who have set a new standard for environmentally friendly farming and provide inspiration to others. The awards are proof of the new contract between society and farmers, in which farmers supply public services and goods to the public."
The winner and runner up go forward into the final round where a national panel chaired by Peter Allen, a Natural England board member, 17th generation Lakeland tenant hill farmer and Chairman of the North West Regional Management board of the National Farmers Union, will select the overall winner and runner up, to be announced at the award luncheon at Burghley House in Stamford on Thursday 15 November.
The criteria used for judging this year's award reflect Natural England's integrated approach to management of the natural environment.
The regional finalist and runner up were chosen because they demonstrate:
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First-rate land management practices that boost biodiversity, public access opportunities and landscape conservation.
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A good understanding of the economic, social and environmental opportunities that biodiversity, public access and landscape conservation brings.
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Pioneering management of the natural environment in one of access, biodiversity or landscape that sets a new standard for the future.
In future years, Natural England will expand the Awards introducing more categories to recognise other areas of environmental excellence.
