Still time to vote for the UK’s favourite wildlife friendly farmer (From Smallholder)

Still time to vote for the UK’s favourite wildlife friendly farmer

10:20am Sunday 8th August 2010 in

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A countrywide public search for the farming community’s most inspirational wildlife champion is almost complete.

The Nature of Farming Award aims to find the most wildlife friendly farmer in the UK. It is run by the RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and the BBC’s Countryfile magazine and funded through the EU Life+ Programme.

After a shortlist of eight regional finalists was whittled down to four by a panel of judges, the public have been voting throughout the summer to pick a winner. Votes can be cast until August 27th either online or through the post.

“I’ve been really impressed with the amazing work these guys are doing to help threatened countryside wildlife.” said Darren Moorcroft, head of farmland advice at the RSPB.

“What this award shows is that many farmers out there really care about the environment and want to protect the plantlife, animals and insects they live alongside. I hope they will serve as inspiration for all those in the farming community who want to do more for wildlife on their land.

“All the four finalists are winners, because they have farms teeming with wildlife which is a great reward for their efforts. But now it’s up to the public to decide who is their favourite, and who will win the Nature of Farming award 2010 – it’s very tight at the moment so your vote could swing it. I can’t wait to hear the result!”

To view the finalists’ profiles and cast your vote visit www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote or call 0870 601 0215 in plenty of time, to request a voting form.

The four finalists for the 2010 Nature of Farming Award are – Ian Boyd - Gloucestershire In the last decade, Ian’s farm has changed from being production-led to working in harmony with wildlife, starting at the bottom of the food chain by managing habitats for insects. This process is supported by agri-environment, but is largely down to Ian’s change of approach. Species attracted to the farm include lapwings, corn buntings, small toadflax, Venus’s looking glass, greater and lesser horseshoe bats, and great crested newts. This abundance of wildlife sits alongside an education programme and a well-run commercial farm.

John Harrison and Ruth Russell – North Yorkshire Father and daughter John and Ruth are successful arable and beef farmers with tremendous enthusiasm for wildlife. They have gone above and beyond their agri-environment schemes to dramatically increase numbers of lapwings, tree sparrows, grey partridges, barn owls and corn buntings. Through careful management of chalk grassland, they have maintained populations of marbled white butterflies and scarce flowers such as bloody cranesbill. Dozens of schoolchildren visit each year to learn about farming and conservation.

John and James Davison – County Antrim The Davison brothers are a shining example of how upland farming can be managed for business and for nature. Their family farm lies in the Antrim Hills, and here they are striving to increase numbers of threatened breeding lapwings and curlews, as well as other species, including red grouse and Irish hares. Their love of nature, their conservation successes and their position in the local community make them perfect for promoting key conservation messages to the wider farming community.

James Bucher - Norfolk James demonstrates a good practical knowledge of conservation land management and the biodiversity benefits it can bring. The impressive management of his 500-hectare farm supports farmland bird species such as corn buntings, yellow wagtails, snipe, turtle doves and grey partridges, as well as water voles and otters. Arable options cover 18% of the farm, and plants like flixweed, viper’s bugloss and pearlwort provide food for unique species, such as the grey carpet moth.