Fernhill Awards
Congratulations to David Newman & Tracy Russell, the winners of this year’s Soil Farmer of the Year award, which was announced Groundswell 2024
Soil Farmers of the Year 2024 - finalist
Soil Farmer of the Year
Soil underpins the entire farming system. A healthy well-managed soil rich in organic matter will support productive and healthy crops and pasture, which in turn supports a profitable and resilient farming system.
Since 2015, our Soil Farmer of the Year Competition has helped to find, promote and champion UK farmers who are passionate about safeguarding their soils and building resilient businesses.
The 2024 Soil Farmer of the Year competition opens for applications on the 5th of December which is World Soil’s Day, with subsequent judging taking place thereafter. If you would like to nominate a farmer who you think would be a brilliant Soil Farmer of the Year, or would like any further information, please contact Emma Adams emma.adams@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk
Master Blade Shearer
England Shearing are pleased to announce that Andrew Wear has been honoured as a Master Blade Shearer.
For all his hard work in promoting the blade shearing, this is obviously fully deserved.
Awarded at the Royal Bath & West Show sheep shearing pavilion 2024
Congratulations to Andy for his master Blade Shearer award 2024
Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust - Bullock Award
The 2023 Steven and Gillian Bullock Award was awarded jointly to two recipients for the first time: Jen Hunter NSch 2014 and Robert Neill NSch 2013. This award recognises a Nuffield Scholar judged to have done the most with their Nuffield experience 10 years after completing their Scholarship.
Jen is an award-winning sheep farmer and in the true spirit of Nuffield, is not only building a successful enterprise against the odds but is championing the value of wool to farmers, shearers, textile workers and students across the UK and far beyond these shores. In addition, she has travelled far and wide to learn and share insights, speaking at a myriad of farming events and to non-specialist audiences.
Sheep Shearing Personality of the Year 2023
Andy Wear
“Congratulations Andrew Wear on your BISCA Shearing Personality of the Year award, supported by Lister
Andrew together with his partner Jen has helped the wool harvesting industry on many levels, from shearer, shearing contractor, representing his country at world level and the promotion of the whole wool industry. But his passion is now for the Blade shearing and is prepared to accommodate anyone willing to learn”.
In the picture is Andy Barratt (Chairman BISCA) Andrew Wear. David John (Lister)
A couple's holistic approach to land management has seen them named Sheep Farmers of the Year