Comment

Farmers and farm managers across England are invited to enter Natural England's 2008 Future of Farming Awards.

The award scheme, which opens on Monday 7 April, recognises and celebrates farmers in England who have integrated wildlife, landscape and access management with more sustainable farming production on their farms. The awards are being actively supported by the farming industry with input from the CLA, NFU and TFA.

Launching the awards for the second year, Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said: "These awards showcase how first rate environmental land management and sound farm business can go hand in hand.

"Natural England believes that the future of farming lies in adopting techniques that not only produce high quality food, but also enhance the beauty of the English landscape and conserve and protect our much-loved native wildlife."

The inventor of a revolutionary new way of collecting and sowing wild seeds to help restore medieval hay meadows in Sussex was the 2007 Future of Farming Award winner. Keith Datchler of the Beech Estate, near Battle, East Sussex won the award for his work for both running a successful farm business and for protecting a precious yet threatened habitat that supports a rich mix of native wildlife, including wildflowers, butterflies and other rare insects.

The achievements of the 2007 finalists will be featured at Natural England's stand at this year's Royal Show.

Natural England's Future of Farming Awards The selection process for the award is designed so that no particular type or acreage of farm is favoured. The assessment looks at how well farming practices are tailored to benefit the wildlife, landscape and access opportunities of the farm. The contribution the farm makes to economic and social sustainability of the local area is also taken into account. This year farmers can apply for the award by completing a short on-line application form. Alternatively the form can be completed by a Natural England adviser on behalf of a farmer.

To find out more about the award visit: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/landmanagement/default.htm To register your interest in applying for the award e-mail your regional Natural England Future of Farming Award contact.

Region Contact E-mail address.

North West Richard Lord richard.lord@naturalengland.org.uk.

Yorkshire and the Humber Howard Botting howard.botting@naturalengland.org.uk.

North East Jim Milner jim.milner@naturalengland.org.uk.

West Midlands Dannii Smith danielle.smith@naturalengland.org.uk.

East Midlands Sarah Fraser sarah.fraser@naturalengland.org.uk.

East of England Andrew Smith andrew.r.smith@naturalengland.org.uk.

South West Christine Goodall christine.goodall@naturalengland.org.uk.

London Ellen Softley ellen.softley@naturalengland.org.uk.

South East Anthony Hart antony.hart@naturalengland.org.uk.

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login