House of Lords reception

The Awards are a celebration by recognition of the remarkable personal achievements and contribution of individuals to the many sectors within the food and farming industry, as well as within society.

The Award recipients are commended for being head and shoulders above their peers in their contribution to the betterment of the food and farming sector in a wide range of ways through their leadership: by supporting charities, mentoring, adopting sustainable farming techniques, innovation in furthering research, advancing technology or holding voluntary roles which underpin the sector. 

These people are the lifeblood of what makes and keeps our industry world leading through continuous striving for improvement, demonstrated as members advance from Associate to Fellow. Fellowship and exchange of ideas are encouraged through the programmes of events which are organised by the England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Panels of CARAS.

Andrew Blenkiron FRAgS, Chairman to the English Panel said ‘28 individuals from across England have received a prestigious award today, all of whom are ambassadors for our industry representing organisations such as The Farming Community Network, Linking Environment and Farming, The National Farmers Union and the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.’

‘We are delighted to be able to hold such a fitting ceremony to highlight individual personal achievement in such a historical British setting’. 

The event was kindly sponsored by Juno (Plant Protection) Ltd. and director Nick Tapp commented ‘We are delighted to be able to support the event once again with such an extraordinary group of inspiring business leaders who have achieved and given so much to the farming industry’. ‘As leading suppliers of naturally occurring pesticides to the British potato industry, it is an important opportunity to be able to network and celebrate with the very best talent from across the sector.’

Host Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE FRAgS commented ‘It is an absolute pleasure and honour to host this special occasion’. ‘What incredible people we have in our industry who work so hard; it is wonderful to celebrate and give thanks to them today’. 

Individuals receiving Associate Awards in bold, submission title and sponsors are:

Claire Bragg, An Open Mind for Change, supported by Charles Bourns and Stephen Fell

Nicholas Bragg, Farming for Renewable Energy, supported by Melanie Squires MBE and Lord Cameron of Dillington

Malcolm Caithness, Persuading government to support farming and land management, supported by Baroness Byford and Alastair Leake

Fiona Dale, Encouraging Young People to get involved in Agriculture, supported by Geoff Vickers and John Summners

Stephen Dennis, The welfare of farmers and the farming community, supported by Ian Bell OBE and John Wibberley

David Exwood, Being a leading voice in Agriculture, supported by Sir Peter Kendall and Keith Charman

Milly Fyfe, Taking agriculture and rural affairs marketing, PR and engagement with the public to the next level, supported by Christine Tacon CBE and David Richardson OBE

Joanna Hilditch, Women in Agriculture – Prime Movers, supported by Patrick Wrixon and Ian Howie

John Joseph, Development and Implementation of regenerative farming methods, supported by Ian Howie and Cathy Meredith

Michael Lee, supporting Sustainable Agriculture through research and education, supported by Debbie Winstanley and Mary Quicke MBE

Mark Leggott, 25 years of representing Agriculture, supported by Nick Wells and Jack Ward

Catherine Look, Support of rural organisations, supported by Mary James and John Alvis

Karen Mercer, A lifetime of farming and community service, supported by David Bolton and Philip Wynn

Jon Regan, My input to Agriculture, supported by Oliver Doubleday and Martin Hole

Geoff Sansome, My personal contribution to the development of UK farming systems and agricultural knowledge exchange supported by Ian Howie and Cathy Meredith

Anthony Snell, A commitment to producing top quality products on a sustainably run farm, supported by Clive Gurney and Ian Howie

Suzie Wilkinson MBE, Supporting farmers in Somerset, supported by John Alvis and Howard Petch

Associates advanced to a Fellowship Award are:

Tina Barsby OBE, Contribution to Agriculture through leadership in crop science, supported by Tomy Pexton and Jim Godfrey OBE

Kevin Beaty, Raising the profile of dairy farming, supported by Richard Halhead and Mary Quicke OBE

Alan Bowe, Support for Cumbria Agriculture, supported by Andrew Humphies and Nuck Utting

Andrew Burgess, Growing and packing vegetables for the UK market, supported by Geoff Dodgson and Helen Browning

Robert Craig, Three decades of growth and development once the hard work is done, supported by Richard Halhead and Nick Utting

James Eckley, Supporting young people in Agriculture, supported by Poul Christensen and Gordon Gatward

Robin Milton, Uplands farming policy and practice, supported by Mark Thomasin-Foster and John Wibberley

Robert Shepherd, Progressive mixed farming, conservation and leadership development, supported by Chris Musgrave and Robert Cooper

Phil Stocker, Bringing Sheep farmers together for sustainability abd resilience, supported by John Geldard and Helen Browning

Richard West, Teaching, developing and helping, supported by John Alvis and Nick Green

The objective of the UK wide CARAS organisation is to recognise, through an Awards scheme, distinguished achievement in agriculture and related land-based industries.

The Awards embrace not only practical farming and the development of new husbandry practices, but also research, technology, economics, education, farming care, communication and administration.

A Fellowship (FRAgS) or Associateship (ARAgS) is a recognition of outstanding contribution by an individual to the understanding, efficiency and well-being of agriculture.

To date, over 1,200 individuals have been so recognised and there are currently over 800 Fellows and over 350 Associates.

Associateship (ARAgS – Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies) is a recognition of meritorious contribution to the agricultural and land-based industries of the UK and is awarded to those who can demonstrate the required high level of achievement.

Fellowship (FRAgS- Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies) is the senior Award of the Council. Associates may be considered for advancement to Fellowship if they demonstrate a continuing significant contribution to agricultural and rural progress in the UK., Advancement is not automatic. Occasionally, the Council may award a Fellowship directly for exceptional achievement.

Holders of the Awards of ARAgS and FRAgS were recognised for a wide spectrum of activities. The Awards recognise personal achievement in a professional capacity and recipients are frequently individuals of influence within Agriculture. They range from practical farmers to academics, company directors, media practitioners, administrators, advisors and consultants.

For more information, please contact Milly Fyfe hon secretary to the English Panel of the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies on 07752989544 or email hello@millyfyfe.com 

Photos will be available after the event of individuals receiving their award and regional groups (North, West Midlands, East Midlands, East, South West, South East)