New Chairman of Council
21st April 2008The new Chairman of Devon County Agricultural Association’s (DCAA) Council is John Lee, a local farmer and influential figure in the sphere of championing agriculture in the South West.
The DCAA stages the Devon County Show in May at Westpoint and runs Westpoint Arena as a year-round venue for exhibitions, concerts, shows and fairs.
John Lee said: “For anybody that is a Devon farmer or is interested in the countryside there can be no greater honour than being elected to Chair the Devon County Agricultural Association.”
John, a beef and cereal farmer at Shobrooke, near Crediton, has been steeped in the Show, man and boy: “I first attended the Show at a very young age with my grandfather and father, who were both regular attendees. Until old age caught up with my father he had attended 72 consecutive shows, so I suspect my enthusiasm is somewhere in my genes!”
He added: “Farming and food are vital components of the South West economy – by this I mean farmers, foresters and food producers - all of which are at the heart of the Devon County Show “
Agriculture contributes twice as much to the South West economy as in the average English region and generates twice as many jobs , according to the government’s Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.
John is also Chief Steward of Showground, member of the board of management, and is involved in a number of organisations which promote British farming. The theme of May’s Show is the Year of Food and Farming, a campaign to help children find out more about the countryside and where their food comes from first-hand. John chairs the organisation which first proposed this campaign, FACE (Farming and Countryside Education).
In addition, he is Chairman of the South West Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy – including the gateway to the Rural Development Programme for England – which works to secure a profitable and sustainable farming and food sector at the heart of a healthy rural economy and living countryside. He is also Chairman of governors at Bicton College, specialising in the land and environment, and Chairs Mole Avon Trading Ltd. Previously he was heavily involved in the Young Farmers Club and has the distinction of being the first English President of the EU organisation.
He succeeds Sir John Cave, who has been Chairman for the past seven years and, under the Association’s rules, is now ineligible to stand for re-election.
Ends
back to News
