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Natural England launches its Future of Farming Awards 2008
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:
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 | Email 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 | Antony Hart | antony.hart@naturalengland.org.uk |
Notes for editors:
For further information contact the Natural England 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
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.