THIS year we celebrated the inaugural Woodland Hero category of our South West Farmer Awards.

We wanted to recognise the role that trees play on farms and the entrepreneurial spirit of farmers and landowners that incorporate woodland creation as part of their diverse farm businesses.

Thanks to the Forestry Commission for sponsoring this category and to Woodland Trust for their kind donation of vouchers for our award nominees.

READ MORE: Winners of the 2024 South West Farmer Awards revealed

The winner of the new Woodland Hero Award, which is sponsored by the Forestry Commission, was Neil Macdonald from Orchard Park Farms in Somerset. Neil demonstrated how woodland can provide a range of amenities and income for the farm, as well as delivering for nature and people.

Orchard Park Farms has just over 100 acres of cider orchards, all between four and nine years old and grown for apple pressing and fermenting on site for a wide range of cider makers.

There is one traditional orchard with 175 different varieties that is used as a dog walking field. And there is 55 acres of ancient woodland, which is under management and split into five hardwood and five softwood blocks. The woods are home to a multitude of activities from paint balling to bushcraft camps, electric bike tracks to axe throwing, all to encourage young people to enjoy woodland spaces.

An additional 24 acres of new woodland creation and 34 acres of pollen rich pastures have been created in the past two years with the help of the Forestry Commission’s England Woodland Creation Offer and Sustainable Farming Incentive to increase biodiversity on the farm.

As well as woodlands, Orchard Park Farm invites around 7,000 children to the farm through scouting, school groups and event each year.

On winning the award, Neil said he was equally delighted and surprised amongst such impressive competition but was very proud of the achievement and grateful for the recognition.

In an era where food production is so challenging Neil wants to encourage others to consider farm diversification and perennial enterprises like trees, that provide a regular annual payment and wonderful spaces for others to appreciate.