A number of fruit and vegetable producers have been recognised at the 2019 Food & Farming Awards announced on 6 December at the House of Commons.
Yorkshire-based carrot grower and packer M H Poskitt was recognised as the Farm Business of the Year, and the judges were impressed by the company’s use of renewable energy, including and AD plant and solar panels, and the fact that robotics and automation will play a massive part in the business in the future and will be fundamental to its sustainability and success.
Organic vegetable producers Polybell, won the Farm Innovation of the Year award for its agri-tech start up Earth Rover, which has licensed the novel technology for its autonomous farming vehicle and laser weeding product as well as a tractor mounted accessible scouting system.
Suffolk grower Andrew Williams of Home Farm Nacton was named Farm Manager of the Year for the way that he has grown the business over the last 20 years to the point where it now grows 30 different types of conventional and organic crops across almost 2,000 ha. Fruit growers Bardsley England was named Progressive Farmer of the Year in part due to its recent investment in packing and juicing facilities.
Chair of judges Meurig Raymond commented, “I was hugely impressed with the standard of entries submitted this year. It was a delight to see at first hand the enthusiasm and drive shown by our food and farming businesses, which continue to innovate and deliver fantastic products for consumers. Huge congratulations to all the winners who each managed to demonstrate something different and special about their businesses.”
Photo credit: FarmBusiness