The 2010 FWAG Silver Lapwing Awards are now open, offering farmers in the UK the chance to celebrate their environmental achievements and win £1,000.
Now in their 31st year, the awards seek to showcase the best in UK farming. They are aimed at farmers and landowners who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to positive agri-environmental practices. They reward those who can point to a three-year track record of marrying environmental consideration with the demands of a commercially successful farming enterprise.
Submissions are welcome from farmers, farm managers, tenants or owners and from all types of enterprise, regardless of size of holding.
Besides the cheque for £1,000, the overall winner will receive a silver lapwing sculpture by leading artist Patricia Northcroft, at a special ceremony in the House of Commons in the autumn. Awards for second and third places include cheques for £500 and £250 respectively.
FWAG managing director Andy Ormiston said: “The awards are a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the wonderful work that UK farmers undertake alongside the production of food. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and we want to use the Silver Lapwing to demonstrate just how much work farmers are doing to safeguard UK biodiversity, thereby enhancing wildlife and protecting our natural resources for generations to come.”
Waitrose will sponsor the Silver Lapwing Awards for the second year. The 2009 winners were cousins Patrick and Brian Barker of Stowmarket in Suffolk, who successfully farm a 510-hectare mixed enterprise while promoting the local landscape and biodiversity .
You can download an application form from the FWAG website here, request a copy by calling 024 7669 8702 or email jane.hampson@fwag.org.uk. The closing date is 28 May 2010 and finalists will be announced in July.
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