Nottinghamshire Farming and Wildlife Group wants to celebrate the environmental works carried out on Nottinghamshire farms.
To do this it is showcasing the excellent farm conservation practices in the county with the launch of the Nottinghamshire Farm Environment Award 2024
The South Nottingahmshire branch of the National Farmers Union are sponsoring this year’s prize of £150, which will be presented to the winner with a specially-commissioned commemorative award.
The central theme of the award is that it recognises ‘good environmental management on commercial farms in Nottinghamshire’.
The prize will be awarded across all nominations so farms and holdings of all types and sizes are eligible to enter, provided the business is run on a commercial basis in Nottinghamshire.
John Miller, FWAG chairman for Nottinghamshire, said: “It is fantastic seeing how the entrants hard work benefits our wildlife.
“The awards give Nottinghamshire farmers a brilliant opportunity to show the farming and wider community just what good work they are doing to protect the environment”.
If you know a farm that ought to be considered, including your own, send details to James Thompson, Notts FWAG Advisor by emailing, jimvic3000@gmail.com, or phoning 07765 888155, by June 30.
The farms are judged on the following criteria:
• The extent to which the farm is a well-run sustainable commercial operation
• The degree of integration of effective conservation measures into the commercial system
• An understanding of current conservation issues and a willingness to seek and implement advice as appropriate
• The extent to which existing habitats and features inherited by the farmer have been retained and managed effectively.
• The extent to which new habitats have been created where appropriate and the choice of their location in relation to those already in place
• Quantifiable evidence of measurable benefits from the conservation measures taken on the farm, e.g. records of species found on the farm
• Steps the farm has taken to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution, e.g. consider the condition of on-farm water bodies, demonstrate an understanding of the effects of soil management.
• Awareness of the need for energy conservation and reducing carbon emissions and evidence of practical steps which have been taken
• Community engagement: Well managed farms have a powerful story to tell. Engagement can be on different levels such as local (Open Farm Sunday), school visits or engagement with the wider farming community
Finalists will receive a visit from the judging panel in early July.
