Natural England

The inventor of a revolutionary new way of collecting and sowing wild seeds to help restore medieval hay meadows in Sussex was today (Thursday 15 November) awarded the top honour in Natural England’s prestigious “Future of Farming Awards”.

The winning farmer Keith Datchler 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.

Keith Datchler, of Beech Estate, near Battle, East Sussex, narrowly pipped the 15 other regional finalists to take the national title in the inaugural year of Natural England’s award scheme which set out to show that first rate environmental land management and sound farm businesses can go hand in hand, setting new environmental standards for farmers in the future.

Keith was nominated by Natural England staff with first hand knowledge of Beech Estate and succeeded in impressing a panel of judges selected from local experts from Natural England, the National Farmers' Union and the Country Land & Business Association based in the South East. Then the national judges panel, chaired by Peter Allen - a 17th generation Lakeland tenant hill farmer, chairman of the North West Regional Management Board of the NFU and board member of Natural England – selected him as a worthy overall winner.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said: “Keith's inspirational approach to transforming the Beech Estate from an intensive arable and dairy farm into a haven for wildlife makes him a clear winner. His lasting legacy is that a growing number of farmers are adopting his techniques to conserve the ancient unspoilt landscape of the High Weald.

“At Natural England we believe that the future for farmers lies in adopting sustainable techniques, that not only produce high quality food, but also enhance the scenic beauty of the English landscape and conserve our much-loved native wildlife.” All 16 finalists in the Award Scheme participate in one of Natural England's green farming schemes, which reward farmers and other land managers for conserving and enhancing our natural environment.

Nearly £3 billion of public money will be spent through these schemes in England over the next 7 years, which already cover more than half of all farmland in England – more than 5 million hectares.

To mark the inaugural Future of Farming awards Natural England is launching an online map that shows all the land that is currently in one of these schemes so that for the first time the public can see where their money is being spent. This map can be searched by parish or place name so that people can see what is happening in their local area. This map can be accessed through Natural England’s website at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/landmanagement/default.htm

A delighted Mr Datchler said: “Farming more than any other business needs to evolve and change to survive. And uniquely it has charge of our country’s most basic asset – land. This is a huge responsibility for the farming community.

“I think it was Dickens that once said: “Live your life in case you die tomorrow ~ Farm your land in case you live for ever!” He was right.”

ENDS

For publication quality photographs and further information, contact Natural England’s national press office on 0845 or out of hours 07970 098005 or email press@naturalengland.org.uk

Notes for editors:

Mr Datchler travelled to Burghley House, near Stamford, Lincolnshire to accept the hand engraved pewter trophy from Natural England’s Chair, Sir Martin Doughty.

Keith Datchler, manages the Beech Estate; a 772 hectare ancient meadow landscape situated north of Battle in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and owned by The Sir John Spencer Wills Will Trust. He has worked with five generations of the land owner’s family for 37 years. His passion for conservation lead him to become a founder trustee of the High Weald Landscape Trust, and in recent years he has worked hard with the local community and farming partners to change the intensive dairy and arable farm into a business that is focused on conservation. His work has helped to improve the biodiversity and public access on the estate, to enhance its landscape and historic assets and to diversify the estate’s income base. The whole estate is covered by an Environmental Stewardship Agreement that gives farmers and land managers access to funding in return for effective environmental management.

Mark and Liz Lea, of Greenacres Farm, Kemberton, Shifnal took the title of national runner up for achievements in educating children about where their food comes from and managing the natural environment sustainably. Earlier this year, the couple built a green oak framed educational building in the heart of their organic mixed farm. A nearby pond fed by rainwater from its roof, provides a rich habitat for wildlife.

Mark says: “My aim has always been to excite and educate children about the food they are eating, where it comes from and how it is produced. This summer we’ve hosted 16 school visits, and had tremendous feedback from the schools as well as huge interest from the local authorities. Receiving national recognition from Natural England proves that by finding a niche and forging partnerships with the environment and education in mind, it is possible for small, family farms like ours to look forward to a viable and sustainable future.”

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:

• First-rate land management practices that boost biodiversity, public access opportunities and landscape conservation.
• A good understanding of the economic, social and environmental opportunities that biodiversity, public access and landscape conservation brings.
• Pioneering management of the natural environment in one of access, biodiversity or landscape that sets a new standard for the future.

Natural England took over responsibility for the delivery of Environmental Stewardship from the Rural Development Service on 1 October 2006.

Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is composed of three tiers:-
• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk