M&S announces England ‘Farming For The Future’ award shortlist
Farmers from Cornwall, Burton-on-Trent, Cambridgeshire and Chichester have today been announced as finalists in this year’s prestigious M&S ‘Farming for the Future’ awards.
The winner will be announced on the first day of the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate on 9th July.
The shortlisted entries include Chalder Farm in Chichester, milk supplier to M&S, family-run Packington Pork in Burton-on-Trent, Rowe Farming in Cornwall, which supplies daffodils to M&S, and Greens of Soham, which specialises in growing high quality beetroot and has been supplying M&S for 20 years.
These farmers have impressed the judges with their commitment to the future of farming, from investment and welfare, to engagement with the community and retailers, and enterprising sustainable practices.
M&S Farming for the Future is a programme of initiatives which champions sustainability and innovation. The programme is designed to help farmers identify opportunities for improvement, increase their profitability and provide a sustainable supply chain that can continue to deliver quality and innovation for the long term.
The Farming for the Future awards celebrate suppliers working towards important M&S Plan A commitments, including becoming carbon neutral, sending no waste to landfill, extending sustainable sourcing, setting new standards in ethical trading, and helping customers and employees live a healthier lifestyle.
Steve Mclean, M&S Head of Agriculture & Fisheries, said: “Choosing the M&S Farming for the Future shortlist in England was a very difficult decision for the judges. There is a great deal of innovation and quality across the agriculture sector, and these entries really stood out.”
Bill Coperthwaite, who rears Swaledale lamb for M&S in Yorkshire, was named winner of the awards for England last year thanks to his eco farm which relies solely on solar power and a hydroelectric plant. He farms in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales with his son, Robert, with a real sympathy for the environment, harnessing natural resources to produce speciality lamb for M&S.
He said: “I was delighted to be recognised with this high profile award for the work we are doing in running a sustainable business, both financially and environmentally. It’s great to be working with a retailer like M&S to future-proof our business and ensure we are able to always deliver the best quality lamb for M&S customers to enjoy.”
Steve Mclean, continued: “The awards are in their sixth year and we are continually impressed by the commitment and dedication our suppliers have towards Plan A and sharing best practice among the farming community in England. Last year, Bill’s entry was recognised for its environmental credentials – the farm has no mains electricity or water, so all the energy used comes from a small hydroelectric plant and some solar panels, and the water is drawn from a borehole. There are some great shortlisted entries again this year and I’m looking forward to unveiling the winner at the Great Yorkshire Show.”
