Natural England

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

The award scheme, which opens on Monday 7 April 2008, 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, Shaun Thomas, Regional Director for Natural England in the East of 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.”

Last years East of England regional winners Barry Brooks and Gary Gray of Beckhithe Farms, Reedham, Norfolk won the award for being pioneers in innovative management and delivering environmental and wildlife benefits. With the help of agri-environment schemes they work to very high environmental standards, aiming to be as sustainable as possible.

Representing the East of England, Barry and Gary attended the national finals at Burghley House, Stamford where Keith Datchler of the Beech Estate, near Battle, East Sussex won the national 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 Barry Brooks, Gary Gray, Keith Datchler and the other 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/farmingaward.htm.

If you are a farmer or farm manager and want to register your interest in applying for the award e-mail your Natural England Future of Farming Award contact for the East of England - Andrew Smith or phone 01223 533474.

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Notes for editors:

For further information and photographs of the East of England regional winners contact Andrew Smith at the Natural England Press Office on 01223 533474, Andrew.R.Smith@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.

Natural England’s environmental schemes include Environmental Stewardship which was launched on 3 March 2005. It is composed of three tiers:-

1. 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;
2. Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
3. Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra's two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the scheme are to:

• Conserve wildlife (biodiversity).
• Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character.
• Protect the historic environment and natural resources.
• Promote public access and understanding of the countryside.
• Natural resource protection.