Natural England

Court Farm, a third generation family farm on the edge of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire managed by Richard and Chris Gordon, beat tough competition to secure the top spot in the regional round of Natural England’s ‘Future of Farming’ awards 2008.

Janette Ward, Natural England’s South West Regional Director and chair of the judging panel commented “the Gordon’s are well deserved regional winners, having demonstrated successful, integrated management of biodiversity, landscape and access with the running of a profitable and secure business. Their achievements are particularly inspiring given the challenges within which they operate.”

The Gordons are tenants of the Ministry of Defence and the farm is part of the Salisbury Plain training area. The farm business consists of mixed arable and dairy has altered dramatically over the last 10 years with the entire farm shortly becoming fully converted to organic. Since 2001, Richard and Chris have undertaken a series of environmental improvements on the farm and this years award is a recognition of their efforts. Management of arable areas of the farm with wildlife in mind such as the use of pollen and nectar seed mixes and fallow plots as well as careful control of water levels has created valuable habitats for farmland and wading birds. Large numbers of snipe and stone curlew are present on the farm, which is also the site of the only breeding pair of redshank in Wiltshire.

The Gordon’s commented “we are trying to build on what the general public expects farmers to do these days while achieving our own goals for the farm. We believe that a balance between the environment and the commercial side of the business can be achieved.”

The Gordon’s will now go forward to the next round of judging which will decide the national winner of the ‘Future of Farming awards 2008’.

Two farms have also been highly commended in this years’ regional farming awards. Alan and Rosie Beat who farm at The Bridge Mill, Holsworthy in Devon have followed organic principles and positive land management for wildlife since they purchased their farm in 1987. They actively encourage visitors to their small holding giving both children and adults an opportunity to study traditional land management techniques such as coppicing, stone walling and hedge laying as well as a range of habitats and related wildlife on the farm. Higher Farm near Kingsbridge in Devon run by Michael Rogers is also managed organically. This mixed arable and dairy farm has implemented a range of measures to encourage wildlife. Visitors to the farm can enjoy farm walks and there is an on-farm discovery centre that hosts educational visits connecting people, farming and food.

Notes to editors:

1. 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.

2. 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: Martin Gershon, Telephone: 07900 608364, Email: martin.gershon@naturalengland.org.uk