19 June 2008

19 June 2008
First 'Future Farmer' award winner announced

A farm in Peeblesshire has scooped £4,000 in a new farming award scheme after transforming its entire operations to significantly boost its trade and reduce its environmental impacts.

Pete Ritchie and Heather Anderson, owners of Whitmuir farm, were at the Royal Highland Show today (19 June) to pick up their prize in the very first 'Future Farmer' award. It was presented by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment.
Whitmuir Farm shop

Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead presenting Pete Ritchie and Heather Anderson with the Future Farmer Award and receiving seasonal produce from Whitmuir Farm in exchange. Photo © Marc Marnie

Richard Lochhead, said: "Whitmuir farm is an excellent example of the forward thinking approach I have seen adopted by many farmers across Scotland.

"Pete Ritchie and Heather Anderson have clearly tapped into consumer need and transformed a traditional farming enterprise into a bustling new business able to feed people's desire to eat locally produced food.
Whitmuir Farm's Pete Ritchie and Heather Anderson speaking with Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead

Pete and Heather encouraging Richard Lochhead to cook himself a seasonal meal from Whitmuir Farm produce. Photo © Marc Marnie

"This award will allow this enterprising couple to share their experiences, good and bad, with other like minded farmers."

The new award scheme is funded by the Murray Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage to promote practical ideas for improving the environmental sustainability of farming in Scotland.

Eight years ago Whitmuir was a single-enterprise sheep farm. Since then it has transformed into a diverse organic farm, with the help of a Scottish Government grant and loan from Triodos Bank. The farm now employs nine people in addition to the owners. Produce includes beef, pork, lamb, a wide range of fruit and vegetables, eggs and Christmas turkeys. 'Food miles' are kept low by butchering the meat on the premises and selling mainly to people living within a 20-mile radius.

The farm has 130 supporters who have committed to 'eat local' by paying a regular amount for their groceries by standing order. Supporters of the farm say the food also tastes 'miles better' because all the vegetables grown at Whitmuir are in the farm shop minutes after being harvested.
Whitmuir Farm shop

Left to right: Award co-ordinator Anna Ashmole, winner Heather Anderson, Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead, winner Pete Ritchie, Murray Trust Chairman Harvey Macmillan, SNH representative Peter Beattie. Photo © Marc Marnie

Receiving the award Pete Ritchie said: "We are thrilled to receive the Future Farmer award. It is very encouraging to get a vote of confidence from experts in agriculture and the environment. With climate change, rising prices for oil and imported food, and pressures on biodiversity, we need to find more ways to grow local food sustainably and keep small farmers on the land. We are looking forward to discussing these ideas in the year ahead, with the help of the Future Farmer award."
Whitmuir customers Mary and Dave Richards sharing a joke with Richard Lochhead

Whitmuir customers Mary and Dave Richards sharing a joke with Richard Lochhead. Photo © Marc Marnie

Customers of Whitmuir, Mary and David Richards from Penicuik, were also at the show. The couple have switched from regular supermarket shopping trips to buying local produce direct from the farm. They presented Mr Lochhead with a shopping basket of seasonal Whitmuir produce similar to what they would be buying for themselves this week.

Pete and Heather were presented with a plaque and a cheque for £4,000. The money will enable them to spend time this year to share their experience with farmers and land managers across Scotland. Organisations wishing to book them to speak at events are encouraged to make contact via www.futurefarmer.org.uk .

Three other farms commended in the award scheme were: Patrick Bowden-Smith of Pittarthie, a 170 hectare farm in Fife; Minty and Aeneas MacKay of Ardalanish Farm; Mull, Johnny and Susie Mackey of Wester Drumlochy, a 18 hectare farm in Perthshire. The opening date for next year's Award is the 1st January 2009.

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Photographs of the presentation are available from:
Marc Marnie 0131 467 6153; 0780 5401192 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Notes:

Whitmuir Farm is at Lamancha in Peeblesshire. The farm rises from 850ft to 1100ft and the best land is only Grade 4.1. The company's website is www.whitmuirorganics.co.uk and its telephone number is 01968 661 908

The 2008 selection committee for the Future Farmer Award was: Harvey Macmillan (Murray Trust Chairman), Michael Williams (farmer and representative of the Murray Trust), David Younie (SAC Organic Farming Specialist), Peter Beattie (Scottish Natural Heritage).

Scottish Natural Heritage is the Government's statutory advisor in respect to the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage. For further information on SNH visit www.snh.org.uk

For more information on the Murray Trust visit www.futurefarmer.org.uk