RSPB representatives are pleased to announce that Henry Edmunds has been awarded their esteemed ‘Nature in Farming Award’ for 2012. Henry, who runs an organic farm on the Cholderton Estate in Wiltshire, received an amazing 17,000 votes from the general public for his fantastic work over the last 30 years.
Cholderton is a mixed organic farm where they try to offer modern agriculture whilst preserving the countryside and the surrounding area. Their motto, ‘sustainable agriculture in practice’ has stood them in fantastic stead over the past 30 years, and it’s great to see Henry receive this prestigious award after all his hard work. The Nature of Farming Awards 2012 is sponsored by The Telegraph newspaper, plus Plantlife and the Butterfly Conservation.
The Whiltshire farm is a thriving home to many flowers and insects, with a wide range of bees, moths and butterflies finding their homes amongst the corn bunting and crops. Alongside the local wildlife, the farm provides a wide selection of delicious produce that is not only great to eat, but also a fantastic place for the local nature to thrive.
Mr Edmunds said –
I am delighted to win the Nature of Farming award for 2012. This represents the culmination of many years of habitat improvement on the Cholderton Estate. The whole process has been underpinned by the organic farming regime which has allowed many rare and endangered plants, birds and butterflies to flourish. The farming system is based on permanent and temporary grassland with mixed cropping, with an emphasis on sustainability. Large areas of chalk downland are being restored and populations of ground nesting birds like Lapwings are encouraged and protected. I am grateful for the advice and support I have received over the years from both the RSPB and Natural England, together with much encouragement and help from many interested and knowledgeable people. And of course I would like to thank the many people who voted for me.
A massive well done to Mr Edumnds, it’s people like him that will hopefully help to raise new British farming to a different plateau for others to emulate. With consumers caring more and more about how their foot is produced, the work at Cholderton shows that you don’t have to mass produce to be successful. People care just as much now about the method of farming as they do the price, so here’s hoping more companies see Henry’s success and take on board his methods to winning awards though nurturing nature.
If you would like to learn more about the RSPB, or would like to join their amazing membership scheme, why not check out our dedicated charity page for more information on their fantastic work across the country.
