Your Hertfordshire county NFU update

Freya Samuel-Smith

Hertfordshire County Adviser

Hertfordshire County Show is always a fantastic shop window for the county's food and farming and it was great to see members on our stand in the farming and countryside area over the two days.

After a number of wet shows in previous years, it was the heat that brought challenges this time, with the livestock parade brought forward on the Sunday to allow cattle and sheep an early return to farms.

Thanks to County Chair Robert Law and the group secretary team for all their help on the NFU stand.

While County Adviser Freya Samuel-Smith recovers after an accident, Regional Network Manager Hannah Padfield continues to work on your behalf with your county management group.

This includes finalising plans for the county's pre-harvest health and safety event, taking place at Harps Farm, Bedlars Green CM22 7TL on 8 July.

This morning workshop will cover essential health and safety topics, likely to include ATV and quad bike safety, emergency first aid, vehicle and licence regulations, lone working and tyre safety. See below for more information and for details of how to book your place.

It's been a terrible start to the year on safety, with seven people killed in farming accidents in just seven weeks. It's vital we all make health and safety a priority and ensure everyone comes home safe.

Local news

Herts farm hosts Silver Lapwing Award

Farmers, conservationists and industry leaders headed to a Hertfordshire farm as it hosted one of the country’s most prestigious farming awards.

Finches Farm in Benington, Hertfordshire, hosted the 47th FWAG National Silver Lapwing Award, celebrating the best in sustainable farming and wildlife conservation.

Host Andrew Bott, winner of the 2025 Silver Lapwing Award, took guests on a guided tour of the farm, seeing first-hand the regenerative farming practices that earned Finches Farm national recognition.

During the event, Peter Clifford of Frampton Court Estate, Gloucestershire, was announced as this year’s winner.

His farm was recognised by judges for its outstanding commitment to integrating productive farming with habitat restoration, biodiversity, and long-term environmental stewardship.

The FWAG National Silver Lapwing Award is one of the UK’s longest running and most respected environmental farming awards.

It recognises farmers who go above and beyond to protect and enhance the countryside while running successful commercial businesses.

Judges assess how environmental management is integrated into the whole farm, considering habitat creation, species conservation, soil and water management, efficient use of natural resources and protection of the historic landscape.

The 2026 award was sponsored by Frontier Agriculture and Land App.