Haynes farmer given conservation trophy

Andrew Phillips, who owns and works on Northwood End Farm in Haynes, has won the 2011 Bedfordshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group’s (FWAG) Farming and Conservation Competition.

He was selected as the overall winner due to his long term commitment to conservation while managing a successful arable farm.

Andrew, 51, who runs the farm in partnership with his wife, Charlotte, said: “I’ve planted a lot of hedges and trees, planted wild bird seed mix and joined the Natural England Stewardship scheme.

“You have to strike a balance between growing food on the one hand and protecting and enhancing the natural environment on the other hand. I don’t want to get a profit at the expense of the environment. It’s given me a great deal of wildlife.”

To read the full story see the Biggleswade Chronicle of Friday, June 24.