Livestock farmer gets conservation champion award

Kent Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group's Debbie Reynolds presented the trophy to Neil Anderson

A Kent farmer has won a top annual conservation award for his work supporting nature.

Neil Anderson, a livestock farmer from Kingsdown, near Sittingbourne, received the Emsden Trophy from the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents landowners and rural businesses.

Mr Anderson has been recognised for his work to improve soil health, cut chemical use and provide safe nesting, breeding and feeding sites for native wildlife.

He said: “It’s great to be recognised for the conservation work. I have always felt that the environment comes first.”

Debbie Reynolds, an adviser at the Kent Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, which nominated Mr Anderson, said his farm demonstrated "a rich tapestry of life".

She added: "His journey is a testament to the belief that true progress lies in working with nature, not against it.

"Neil shows us that sustainable farming is not just a hypothesis but a practical, achievable reality."

Welfare standards

Mr Anderson's 430-acre farm contains a herd of cows and a mix of cereal crops, wildflowers and hedgerows.

His cattle are fed on a grass-based system, and after they are slaughtered, they travel less than four miles to the local family-owned butcher.

He was also praised for the high animal welfare standards and low carbon footprint at his farm.

He said: "A healthy environment should be central to supporting a healthy diet."

The Emsden Trophy is awarded in memory of Brigadier Brian Emsden, a former secretary of the Kent and Sussex CLA who was very keen on wildlife and conservation.