Peelham Farm is Scotlands Sustainable Best

Peelham Farm has today scooped the 2009 Future Farmer Award.

Award judge David Younie was quick to praise the 680 acre Berwickshire enterprise, which supplies beef, lamb and pork to local markets [2]: As well as producing stunning food, Peelham is resilient, low carbon, and shows great imagination in the way it engages with customers.

The Future Farmer Award is supported by the Elizabeth Murray Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage and recognises exceptional achievement in sustainable farming in Scotland. Award winners receive a cash sum of 4,000, and a package of support, to enable them to share their skills and success with other land managers [3].

Mr Younie said: As Future Farmer Award winners, Peelham will be throwing open their gates – I hope that Scotlands farmers and policymakers will jump at the opportunity to come and see farming at its sustainable best.

Jim McLaren, President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland, presented the annual gong to partners Chris & Denise Walton and Amanda Cayley.

Mr McLaren said: Peelham Farm demonstrates that Scotlands farmers are rising to the twin challenges of climate change and increasing costs of farm inputs. Im delighted that this award not only recognises what the Waltons have accomplished, but makes it possible for them to disseminate their knowledge and expertise.

Mr Younie said that the selection committee had been impressed by Peelhams environmental credentials: Instead of buying nitrogen fertiliser, Peelham sows clover, which builds soil fertility using energy from the sun. Rather than using pesticides and bought-in animal feed, the team employ natural methods of pest control, and grow their own feed, he said. This is a low carbon approach that is also good for wildlife.

The policy of minimal inputs and self-reliance also makes the farm more economically robust, and resilient to agrochemical and feed price shocks, which cause headaches for many farmers.

Peelham butcher their own meat and sell their award winning products including Scotlands only field-raised beef veal – direct to hotels, restaurants, shops and consumers fifty two weeks a year. Customers know who is producing their food, and Peelham enjoy a diverse and loyal customer base, insulated from middlemen and commodity markets.

Reflecting the teams commitment to social sustainability, Peelham creates rewarding employment for eleven staff, and diverse recreational and educational opportunities for visitors, which include a Tamworth pig ownership scheme and an equestrian cross-country course.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead said:

Peelham Farm is a wonderful example of the win-win situations possible for farmers and land managers. Not only are they improving farming inputs and business resilience, they are adopting measures to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions something which will benefit us all.

Evidence of such commitment and innovation within the sector is hugely encouraging. And by implementing practical measures there is the recognition that sound business practice and low carbon farming need not be mutually exclusive.

Mrs Walton said: Were over the moon to have won the Future Farmer Award and really looking forward to sharing more of what we do, particularly with other farmers.

1. The Future Farmer Award, now in its second year, aims to promote practical ideas for improving the sustainability of farming in Scotland. The selection committee comprises: David Younie (Senior Organic Farming Consultant, with the Scottish Agricultural College Consultancy Services Division), Harvey Macmillan (Chairman of the Murray Trust), Barbara Bremner (Policy and Advice Officer Agriculture at SNH) and East Lothian farmer Michael Williams. Further information can be found at www.futurefarmer.org.uk.

2. Peelham Farm is a 680 acre mixed enterprise farm ranging in height from 300 to 700 feet, on grade 2 and 3 land. It is certified as organic by the Scottish Organic Producers Association. Peelham farm was highly commended in the Quality Food Awards 2009, and was named as one of the 2008 Countryfile Local Food Heroes.

3. In accepting the award, Peelham have agreed to share their expertise through a programme which begins on 18 September, with Denise Walton featuring as a panel member at the Abergavenny Food Festival Big Food Debate on sustainability. Later in the year Peelham will host farm walks and from 28-30 May 2010 will run a three day Sustainable Farming Masterclass, where sixteen farmers will learn in detail about the practices behind Peelhams success. To book Denise or Chris Walton to speak at events, call Denise on 07890 266953 or 01890 781328, or email Anna Ashmole, award co-ordinator, at anna@futurefarmer.org.uk.

4. Scottish Natural Heritage is the Governments adviser on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. Our role is to help everyone understand, value and enjoy Scotlands nature now and in the future. For further information on SNH, please visit our website at www.snh.org.uk. Press enquiries SNH press office 01463 725022.