Entries open for new UK award recognising farmers improving water quality

Farmers across England and Wales are being invited to enter a new award recognising practical action to improve water quality on farm.

The Water Quality Farmer of the Year Award has been launched by Innovation for Agriculture, with support from Portsmouth Water, Wessex Water, Southern Water, Severn Trent Water and Anglian Water.

Open to all farming sectors, the award aims to celebrate the work taking place on farms to protect and enhance water quality through innovative and effective land management.

The competition will recognise farmers who are delivering positive outcomes for water through practical action, whether through nutrient management, runoff reduction, more targeted input use, improved livestock management, soil structure improvement, or wider catchment-based approaches.

“Farmers are already doing a huge amount to protect and improve water quality, often through practical decisions that also strengthen the resilience of the farm business,” says Stephen Briggs, head of technical development at Innovation for Agriculture.

“This award is about recognising that work, sharing good practice, and celebrating the role farmers play in protecting one of our most important natural resources,” he adds.

Entries will be judged by a panel of industry specialists, to include Stephen Briggs from Innovation for Agriculture, Richard Bramley from the NFU and a representative from one of the water companies supporting the award. Three finalists will be selected for on-farm visits.

The finalists will be invited to Innovation for Agriculture’s partner charity awards event; the RASE Awards Day, in September, where they will receive trophies and certificates. The overall winner will also receive an invitation to attend the RASE Awards Dinner.

Farmers can enter via a short online application form, which asks entrants to explain what they are doing on farm to improve water quality and the impact their approach is having.

Entries are now open and will close on Friday 29 May.

For full entry criteria and to submit an application, visit: https://www.i4agri.org/water-quality-farmer-of-the-year-award