Fifteen new panel members have been elected, and eleven existing members re-elected for a second term, to AHDB Horticulture’s crop panels for 2016. The crop panels are responsible for ensuring that activities funded by the AHDB Horticulture board are prioritised, are of value and have the support of the relevant growers and their crop associations. Panels meet up to four times a year to discuss issues, assess new project proposals for scientific merit, value for money and probability of success as well as monitor projects to check they are meeting objectives.
Two new members, Keith Mawer of Strawsons in Nottinghamshire, representing the interests of root crop growers, and Stephen McGuffie of New Farm Produce, Staffordshire, join the Field Vegetables Panel. McGuffie also grows soft fruit and brings previous experience of serving on that sector’s panel. Two existing members, Rob Gibbs and Sam Rix, were re-elected, representing herbs and bulb onions respectively.
Alastair Hazell of Darby Nursery Stock, Norfolk, and Ian Nelson from Johnsons of Whixley, near York, have joined the Hardy Nursery Stock Panel representing herbaceous perennials and roses and shrubs respectively. Stephen Carter was re-elected.
Lea Valley cucumber grower Joe Cappalonga of G&C Produce, and Peter Howard, farm manager at Chelbury Mushrooms, Gloucestershire, have been elected to the Protected Edibles and Mushrooms Panel, with Neal Ward and Simon Budge re-elected.
Boston, Lincolnshire, cut flower grower Graham Whitehead and Cornish bulb grower Andrew Richards join the Protected Ornamentals and Bulbs & Outdoor Flowers Panel, while Phil Collison and Mark Eves were re-elected.
The Soft Fruit Panel has three new members in James Porter, from Angus, Martin Skarp from the Hall Hunter Partnership in Berkshire, and James Waltham of Haygrove, Herefordshire. Salih Hodzhov and Ross Mitchell were re-elected. Herefordshire apple and hops grower Alison Capper is one of four new Tree Fruit Panel members along with Tom Hulme, Paul Smith of Loddington Farm and Sean Finlayson of Farmcare, all in Kent. Jeremy Linsell and Nigel Stewart were re-elected.
The Field Vegetables, Protected Edibles and Mushrooms, and Protected Ornamentals and Bulbs & Outdoor Flowers panels are still seeking growers to represent particular crop interests. AHDB has made it easier than ever to put forward your name for panel membership as you can now register your interest at any time here. Those interested in the current vacancies should contact the relevant panel chairman or staff member for the sector – contact details can be found at www.horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/panel