A Herefordshire grower whose berries are sold to shoppers across the country has won a coveted award at NFU Conference for his dedication to the county and food production.
Hereford grower Anthony Snell, of Windmill Hill Fruits, Harewood End, was named the Midlands winner of the NFU’s Meurig Raymond Award. The award is named after the former NFU President and was presented to Mr Snell in front of more than a thousand farmers and industry representatives at the NFU24 dinner in Birmingham on 20 February.
Anthony runs a first generation farm business with his wife Christine, which he has managed since 1987 producing fresh and frozen soft fruits, grown sustainably for the health of the nation. They grow and pack more than 2,000 tonnes of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, chuckleberries and organic blackcurrants on the farm each year.
A former NFU West Midlands horticulture and potatoes board chair he has also been a staunch industry advocate on its national board, working with those in farming, stakeholders and other organisations for decades.
Robert Newbery, NFU Midlands regional director, said there were many farmers across the region doing great work and while those in all sectors were winners he was pleased the award had gone to Anthony this year.
“Horticulture is often a sector which feels unrepresented, but Anthony has ensured at every point the voice of these members has been heard – both locally and nationally, and within and outside the NFU,” he said.
“In more recent years he has flown the flag for sustainable production within the horticultural sector and the environmental measures which he, and other growers, have put in place.
“This has been critical in a county like Herefordshire where there is huge pressure on farmers to deliver environmental benefits.
“At every opportunity Anthony promotes the work of the NFU and is a huge advocate for everything it does.”