South Devon farmer wins conservation award

Peter Howlett of Woodhuish Farm, Kingswear was presented the award as more than 60 farmers from around the country visited his farm for the Devon FWAG summer farm walk and AGM.

Livestock, birdlife and natural landscape are all taken into consideration in Peter’s decision-making, with advice from Mike Ingram, the local National Trust warden, the RSPB and  FWAG.

Public access and the coastal footpath are not seen to be barriers to commercial farming, as the Howletts use passers-by as an extra marketing opportunity for selling free-range eggs.

The Bronze Otter was presented to Peter by last year’s winner and one of this year’s judges, Steve Loud of Farway in East Devon. He said: “It has been a privilege to have the trophy on the mantelpiece, but if I’d been in the competition this year I wouldn’t have stood a chance against Woodhuish.”

Another judge, Paul Cottington, the NFU environmental adviser said: “This spectacular coastal setting and unique problems with seawater defences, plus Peter’s passion for the birdlife and habitats, truly demonstrate that they can be combined to benefit the public and farmer alike. A very worthy winner”.

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name