A regenerative farmer from Kent has won the Country Land and Business Association’s (CLA) Emsden Trophy for his conservation work.
Neil Anderson, a livestock farmer near Sittingbourne, was awarded the trophy last night (Thursday, July 11) after he was nominated by the Kent Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG).
The awards presentation and drinks reception was hosted by last year’s winner, Watts Farms based in Farningham.
Anderson’s mixed farm in Kingsdown, near Sittingbourne, is a 430ac holding comprising a diverse array of cereal crops, wild flowers, margins, hedgerows and a suckler herd.
The CLA said Anderson has nurtured the land through a focus on soil health, reduced chemical inputs and integrated pest management combined with provision of safe nesting, breeding and feeding sites for native wildlife.
Conservation work
On winning the award, Anderson said: “I’m really pleased to receive this award, it’s great to be recognised for the conservation work.
“I have always felt that the environment comes first. A healthy environment should be central to supporting a healthy diet.”
Anderson’s suckler herd are fed on a grass-based system and travel less than four miles to the local butcher.
High animal welfare, a low carbon footprint and food rich in nutrients are important values for him, the CLA said.
He has also hosted several dung beetle workshops and bat walks, evidencing how natural cycles are thriving on his farm.
CLA South East regional director, Tim Bamford, said: “Many congratulations to Neil, who is a very worthy winner. The CLA is always thrilled to recognise the conservation and environmental efforts of farmers, and this year is no different.
“Farmers and landowners across the Garden of England are custodians of the landscape, as well as helping to feed the nation, and we’re proud to celebrate their work in this small way.
“Thank you to Caroline Ayears-Johnson and the Watts Farms team for hosting the tour and presentation, and we’re already looking forward to visiting Neil next summer to see first-hand the impressive work he does.”
‘Rich tapestry of life’
Kent FWAG adviser Debbie Reynolds said: “On Neil’s farm, you’ll find a rich tapestry of life. His journey is a testament to the belief that true progress lies in working with nature, not against it.
“By embracing methods such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and managing soil health he has reduced reliance on chemical inputs and contributed to the resilience of the local environment.
“Neil shows us that sustainable farming is not just a hypothesis but a practical, achievable reality. The Emsden award allows us to celebrate a legacy of conservation and a vision for the future of farming.”
Reynolds thanked Anderson for his “unwavering commitment” to farming with nature, for his open door policy for hosting workshops and guided walks and for showing that dedication and care and cultivate a better world.
The event, which is supported by BTF Partnership, is held in memory of Brigadier Brian Emsden, the Kent and Sussex CLA regional secretary in the 1980s who died of cancer in post.
