CLA to present top Kent conservation award on farm walk next month
Award honouring conservation efforts to be presented at summer drinks
A top award honouring conservation efforts in Kent is to be presented on a farm walk next month.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents hundreds of farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the county, will hand out its Emsden Trophy on Thursday, 14 July.
The awards presentation and drinks reception will be hosted at the Offham site of the 2021 trophy winner, Laurence J Betts Ltd, which also has sites at Yalding and Hadlow.
Laurence J Betts Ltd, a producer of wholehead and babyleaf salads for the catering and retail markets, will also host a farm walk before the 2022 recipient is announced.
The winner will once again be nominated by Kent Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), with the event running from 4pm to 7pm and supported by BTF Partnership.
CLA South East Regional Director Tim Bamford said: “We are always thrilled to recognise the conservation and environmental efforts of farmers in Kent, and this year is no different.
“Farmers and landowners across the Garden of England are custodians of the landscape, as well as helping to feeding the nation, and we’re proud to celebrate their work in this small way.
“We’re also pleased to be visiting the 2021 winner, Laurence J Betts Ltd, to see first-hand the impressive work they do, and I thank them for hosting the farm walk and presentation.”
Laurence J Betts Ltd, which is run by Stephen Betts with directors Nick Ottewell and Alison Tanton, was praised for its dedication to “producing food safely while meeting high environmental standards” when receiving the award last year. It is LEAF Marque-accredited and the
Offham farm has been involved in a ‘Test and Trials’ group for Defra’s Environmental Land Management scheme.
The trophy is awarded in memory of Brigadier Brian Emsden, the Kent and Sussex CLA Regional Secretary in the 1980s who died of cancer in post. He was very keen on wildlife and conservation, hence the award in his memory.
Tickets for the walk, drinks reception and light supper are free but must be booked in advance. Visit the CLA website here or call 01264 313434.
For more information about the CLA and its work, visit https://www.cla.org.uk/in-your-area/south-east/ and follow @CLASouthEast on Twitter.
Media are also welcome to attend. Please email mike.sims@cla.org.uk for more information.
