Richard Clothier, who manages Wyke Farms in Bruton, Somerset, has been awarded an MBE in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours for services to sustainable agriculture and food production.
Richard is a third-generation farmer and the Clothier family have worked the farm for over 160 years to produce great-tasting cheddar while ensuring they also lead the way on environmental and climate change measures.
Focusing on sustainability
The family has invested in renewable energy and carbon reduction on their farm, generating green energy from solar and biogas, recycling water, and operating a closed-loop system that minimises waste.
“To be able to improve the biodiversity and the natural capital, and make the air cleaner, while being a better neighbour is an important thing for us.”
NFU member Richard Clothier
Richard said that his grandparents and parents had always focused on sustainability in the area which supplies “our food and our income and it’s also our home”.
He said: “To be able to improve the biodiversity and the natural capital, and make the air cleaner, while being a better neighbour is an important thing for us.
“So to be recognised for that is a really nice and humbling thing and a real honour for the team as well.”
