The very best people, and companies, in agriculture were celebrated on Friday 10th December at the eighth Farm Business Food and Farming Industry Awards, with a presentation hosted by agriculture minister James Paice in the gothic splendour of the House of Commons Members’ Dining Room. An audience drawn from every part of the food and farming supply chain enjoyed the wit of Observer columnist Andrew Rawnsley as after dinner speaker and host for the awards ceremony.

According to E W Porter and Son there is little that cannot be said about Richard Palmer, but ‘Excellence in all he does’ is one encapsulating phrase. They said of Richard: “Advising us for over 25 years, he has always delivered a superb level of service, tailored to our needs and based on excellent knowledge, up to date information, attention to detail and a high level expertise in agronomy and all farm enterprises. He has an amazing ability to communicate at all levels and enjoys a high level of respect of all employees. One of Richard’s key strengths is his ability to understand, explain and advise on all matters concerned with the farming business, not just all aspects of agronomy and legislation, but also how to integrate environmental schemes as part of the farming enterprise, with overall profitability for the farm being high on the agenda.

He is just as comfortable and effective thinking strategically in the medium to long term as practically on day to day basis. He is technically extremely competent and always clued up with the latest technology and thinking, regarding training as essential.” The judges were impressed by the high praise of those who work with Richard, and his attitude towards taking a personal responsibility for a crop’s success. He is a strong advocate of all environmental schemes, but says the objectives of many, including the Campaign for the farmer Environment, need greater clarity if they are to be embraced by the industry.

Farm Business of the Year – sponsored by Genus

• Winner: Gressingham Foods
• Highly commended: Oaklands Farm Eggs

Progressive Farmer of the Year – sponsored by Agrovista

• Winner: Nick Taylor of TC & N Taylor Ltd
• Highly commended: Andy Fussell, of Fussell Farms

Rural Enterprise Award – sponsored by Novartis Animal Health

• Winner: Barleylands
• Highly commended: Packington Moor Farm Shop

Family Business of the Year – sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers

• Winners: Mawsons of Bailey Ground
• Highly commended: Warburtons Farms

Agronomist of the Year – sponsored by DuPont

• Winner: Richard Palmer of Farm Vision Arable Services Ltd
• Highly commended: Andrew Wade of Agrovista

Food Chain Marketing Award – sponsored by Elanco Animal Health

• Winner: The Happy Egg Company, Noble Foods
• Highly commended: Sunny Hill Eggs

The Green Award for Renewable Energy Development – sponsored by Growhow

• Corporate Business Winner: Thanet Earth
• Farm Business Winner: Mackie’s of Scotland

Employer of the Year – sponsored by Safety Revolutions

• Corporate Business Winner: McDonald’s Restaurants
• Farm Business Winner: LE Barnes & Sons Ltd

Retailer of the Year – sponsored by AGCO Finance Massey Ferguson

• Non-Multiple Retailer of the Year Winner: Keelham Hall Farm Shop
• Multiple Retailer of the Year Winner: Sainsbury’s

Personality of the Year – sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants

• Winner: Jimmy Doherty – for his role in promoting science in the farm and food chain

Enterprise and Innovation in New Media – sponsored by Massey Ferguson

• Winner: Yeo Valley

The 2010 Food & Farming Industry Awards are organised by Farm Business magazine.

Tel: 01760 724469 Fax: 01760 720938 Email: enquiry@farmvision.com
VAT 426 1947 45

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