Devon County Show - Go ahead farmers and long-serving farm-workers wanted for Devon awards

As farming in Britain enters a new era of sustainable growth, the Devon County Show is once again aiming to highlight the progressive farmers who are showing the way ahead.

Entries are invited for the John Neason Award, presented annually at the Devon County Show to the farmer who, in the opinion of the judges, is setting the most exciting example in agricultural production or business management.  It comes with a cash prize of £750, with £250 for the runner-up.

Named in memory of a former Devon County Land Agent, the award was given originally for the best farm diversification project, but has recently been broadened to include new techniques for boosting farm productivity, in line with the growing imperative to produce more food sustainably.

It was won this year by James Lee, of Lee Farm Services, near Crediton, for the specialist direct drilling systems which he has developed to establish arable crops in one pass, so saving fuel and other costs, reducing carbon emissions, improving soil structure and increasing yields.

To Devon Count y Show Secretary Ollie Allen, this is exactly the sort of innovation which the award was designed to encourage and celebrate:

“James Lee is a young farmer who is doing some really exciting things to help farmers produce more, whilst impacting less.  But I know that there are plenty of others like him, developing the new business ventures and new farming techniques which will help Devon’s family farms to thrive into the twenty first century.

“Encouraging and spreading best practice in farming has always been a crucial part of the mission of the Devon County Show, but with the call for sustainable intensification of production, it is really coming back into focus.

“We’re looking forward to some really exciting entries for the 2012 competition, so as to highlight what can be achieved, not only to the farming community but to the wider population in Devon.”

Entries close on March 16th, 2012.  The John Neason Award will be presented at the Devon County Show, May 17-19, 2012.

Nominations are also invited for the DCAA Long Service Awards.   Any employee who has completed at least 30 years’ service in agriculture, horticulture or forestry in the county with the same employer or on the same holding can qualify for an award, complete with certificate and glass tankard, and there are cash prizes of £80, £50 and £30 respectively for the three longest serving workers.  Recipients of a Certificate or Trophy from a previous show are not eligible for another certificate or trophy, but may qualify for a cash award, provided they have not previously received one.

Ollie Allen said that the awards recognised the importance of a loyal and experienced workforce to the county’s farming industry:

“Long serving farm workers are the unsung heroes of farming in Devon, and I am delighted that we are able to celebrate their contribution each year in what is always one of the highlights of the Devon County Show.

“I hope and expect that every farmer in Devon who has an employee who qualifies for the awards will put their name forward.”

The closing date for the awards is March 16th 2012, which is also the date against which length of service will be judged for the purposes of the awards.

Again, the Long Service Awards are presented at the Show.

For more informationandan application form please visit:www.dcshow.org

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