Press release: 2022 Soil Farmer of the Year competition: Shortlisted farms announced!
The Soil Farmer of the Year competition 2022 has selected seven farmers as finalists.
The 2022 Soil Farmer of the Year Shortlist:
- Stuart Johnson, mixed farm – Northumberland
- AV and N Lee and Partners, mixed farm – Devon
- Billy Lewis, mixed farm – Herefordshire
- David Miller, arable farm – Hampshire
- Andrew Rees, grassland farm – Haverfordwest
- Paul Temple, mixed farm – Yorkshire
- Tim Williams, mixed farm – Cornwall
Now in its seventh year, the annual Soil Farmer of the Year competition is organised by the Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture and, this year, generously sponsored by Hutchinsons and Cotswold Seeds.
The competition aims to find farmers and growers who are engaged with, and passionate about managing their soils in a way which supports productive agriculture, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and builds soil health, organic matter and carbon.
As part of the competition, the top three farmers will host open farm walks that bring farmers together to share good practice and innovations that improve soil health. The competition is widely recognised by organisations working in soil management, with many promoting it to their networks to increase participation.
Emma Adams, Farm Carbon and Soil Advisor with Farm Carbon Toolkit, says
“This year’s Soil Farmer of the Year competition saw the highest number of applications so far, and we’ve been blown away by the number and quality of the entries. Indeed, the sheer variety of entries highlights the fact that, despite the many differences in farming systems and locations, the soil connects us all. We’re very grateful to everyone who took the time and effort to enter.”
Deborah Crossan, Innovation for Agriculture, says
“As the Soil Farmer of the Year competition gains momentum and the numbers of entries reach their highest level so far, the summer walks at the winning farms represent a not-to-be-missed opportunity for farmers to see first-hand the innovation and change that leads to excellent soil management.“
The judging process now involves visiting each of the seven finalists to learn more about their farming practices before selecting the winners.
The winners of the 2022 competition will be announced at the Groundswell: The Regenerative Agriculture Show and Conference, which runs from 22nd – 23rd June 2002 at Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire.
Open farm walks at the top three winning farms are scheduled to take place in July.
For further details about the 2022 Soil Farmer of the Year competition, contact Emma Adams, Senior Advisor with the Farm Carbon Toolkit, at emma.adams@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk
For more information, visit farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk/soil-farmer-of-the-year
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