TWO farmers from the south west have been revealed as finalists in the Carbon Farmer of the Year competition. 

Andrew Brewer from Ennis Barton, Fraddon, Cornwall (Arla supplier) and Tom Burge from Oaremead Farm, Lynton, Devon have both been shortlisted in the comeptition, which is organised by Farm Carbon Toolkit. 

The awards, which are in their second year and are sponsored by HSBC Agriculture UK, are focused on finding farmers and growers who are passionate about reducing greenhouse gasses. 

Rob Purdew, farm carbon and soil advisor with Farm Carbon Toolkit, said: “We've been blown away by the quality of the entries for this year’s Carbon Farmer of the Year competition. The sheer variety of entries for this year’s competition highlights the fact that, despite differences in farming systems and locations, many farmers are finding truly innovative ways to reduce their business greenhouse gas emissions.

"It is particularly positive to see three dairy farmers in this year’s shortlist, given that dairy farming is often in the media spotlight in terms of its environmental impact. We are working with numerous dairy farmers and dairy industry projects that are already showcasing that this doesn’t need to be the case, and that farmers can make simple management changes to significantly improve their carbon and environmental footprints. We’re grateful to everyone who took the time and effort to enter.”

As part of the competition, the top three farmers will host free farm walks that bring farmers together to share good practice and innovations that result in reduced emissions, as well as improving carbon removal into soils, trees, hedges and non-crop biomass. The walks will take place in November and December.

Steve Dunkley, HSBC Agriculture, added: “HSBC UK Agriculture is pleased to support the 2024 Carbon Farmer of the Year competition and the quality of entries has been superb and hugely inspiring.

"As a business, we’re very keen to support the industry in transitioning towards net zero. While that will take many forms, we have the ambition to help farmers fund investment in the new practices and technologies needed to evolve. The Carbon Farmer of the Year competition is a great way of showcasing how farmers are already achieving these changes and encouraging others to follow their lead. “

The other two finalists are Jason Mitchell, Gary Logue and Adam Moore from Greenville Dairies Ltd, Newton Stewart, Northern Ireland (Lakeland supplier) and Wesley Semple from Derryduff Farm, Dungiven, Northern Ireland (Lakeland supplier).

The winners of the Carbon Farmer of the Year award 2024 will be announced at the Farm Carbon Toolkit Annual Field Day on September 26. Soil Farmer of the Year winner Billy Lewis will host the day at Boycefield Farm in Herefordshire.