Natural England

A Strixton farmer has beaten off tough competition to secure the top prize in Natural England’s ‘Future of Farming’ awards 2008 in the East Midlands.

David Hutchinson (44), of Manor Farm, Strixton, was recognised for his focus on farming in harmony with the natural environment. He has lived and worked all his life on the 300 hectare arable farm, producing a range of high quality cereals.

Manor Farm joined Natural England’s higher level stewardship scheme, an agri-environment scheme aiming to deliver significant environmental benefits, in 2006. A range of environmental land management techniques are used across Manor Farm, particularly field buffering, creating wild flower margins around crops, to encourage insect, wildlife and bird populations. There are lakes on the farm which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and David has re-profiled them attracting a range of birds including oyster catchers, little ringed plover and lapwings.

Rural enterprise funding has been used to diversify the farm business, converting a redundant barn into a meeting room, as well as creating office space, which is now leased to local businesses. Mr Hutchinson also has a large demonstration area on the farm, which he uses showcase different options to other farmers interested in environmentally-friendly farming.

Mr Hutchinson, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the work we are doing on the farm has been recognised. I have a real personal interest in environmental land management, and it’s great that I can tie it into my work like this. It is also rewarding to be able to pass on knowledge about the environmental benefits that we have gained, to other farmers and land managers.”

Chair of the judging panel and Natural England’s Regional Director, Geoff Sansome said: “Manor Farm is, to me, the perfect example of the future of farming - integrating the ethos of environmental land management into a highly profitable, successful and diversified farm business. Not only that, but David Hutchinson is a superb advocate of agri-environment schemes, running a pioneering demonstration showcase which he uses to influence other farmers and land managers to his commendable way of thinking.”

Also on the judging panel were Helen Woolley, Regional Director of the Country Land Business Association (CLA) and Richard Hezlet, Regional Director of the National Farmer’s Union (NFU).

Richard Hezlet said: “Anyone visiting the three finalists couldn’t fail to be struck by the passion that they had for farming and improving the habitats for wildlife on their land. The clear message from all of them was that farmers will continue to do all they can to preserve the environment but they can only do so if farming is profitable. The winner, David and Anne Hutchinson, were outstanding and comprehensively proved that there is no contradiction between running a highly efficient arable farm and preserving the environment. Both were achieved superbly. Those responsible for environmental policies would do well to visit Manor Farm Strixton for it truly represents the future of farming.”

Helen added: “David has created a strong and economically sustainable business at Manor Farm. That his successful approach is underpinned with such careful environmental land management is a credit to him and his business.”

Manor Farm will now enter the national judging round, which will determine the overall winner of the ‘Future of Farming Awards 2008’.

Farms highly commended in the East Midlands were Lower Hurst Farm in Hartington, Derbyshire and Manor Farm, Long Whatton, Leicestershire.

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Notes to editors:

David Hutchinson is available for interview on 01933 664217. For photos of the farm, or further information, please contact Melissa Gill, Communications, Natural England 0115 900 5311 / 07827 881308.

The criteria used for judging this year’s award reflects Natural England’s integrated approach to management of the natural environment. The regional finalists were chosen because they demonstrate:

• Innovative 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.

Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is a Government-funded scheme, managed by Natural England, and open to all farmers. The Scheme funds the delivery of environmental benefits through agriculture and aims to conserve wildlife, maintain and enhance our landscape quality and character, protect our natural resources, and promote public access to the countryside.

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.

Environmental Stewardship is the latest phase of 21 years of agri-environment schemes which have brought real benefit to the countryside.

These schemes have:

• Delivered 5 million hectares across England under Environmental Stewardship agreements
• Restored more than 17,000 kilometres of hedgerow
• Created more than 4,800 kilometres of footpaths, and 2,400 kilometres of cycle paths and bridleways
• Assisted recovery of a range of species including the stone curlew, bittern, twite, cirl bunting, and chough
• And we are on target to bring 95% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest into favourable condition by 2010.

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.