After a hectic few days last week in the Italian Tyrol, The English Apple Man was firmly back on UK soil this week!
On Wednesday, back in The Garden of England, The EAM joined growers attending the presentation of Trophies at The NFU organised Goudhurst & Paddock Wood Orchard Competition.
The winning farm; Mike & George Chambers 'Northiam Farm' at Horsmonden in West Kent, in the most beautiful rolling countryside of The Weald of Kent.
Having judged this farm just two weeks earlier, it is with some trepidation that we judges walk the winning farm in the company of other entrants. We hope our judgment has stood the 'test of time' albeit only 14 days. It has been known in the past for a late pest attack to distort the picture, seen on competition day!
On a beautiful August evening Martin Webber - NFU Group Secretary for Goudhurst & Paddock Wood Branch welcomed a large group of growers, and a fair sprinkling of agronomists to Mike & George Chambers farm; the Winners of The Overall Best Farm in the NFU - Goudhurst & Paddock Wood Orchard Competition.
Martin introduced Andy Sadler MD of Norman Collett Ltd who generously sponsored the event and prize giving.
Martin also introduced Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, National Farmers Union (NFU) Chief Advisor for Horticulture and Potatoes.
Accompanying Hayley from NFU head office were Tom Hind - Director of Corporate Affairs and Sandra Nichols, who is currently the Senior Policy Adviser for the South East.
Hayley drew our attention to the 'Catalyst for Change' which is NFU's vision for a thriving, productive and profitable British Horticulture and Potatoes sector.
Catalyst for Change is intended to start a debate about whether the way the supply chain operates currently is in the long term interests of consumers and asks whether there are better ways of doing business that would bring benefits to all parts of the supply chain.
Hayley praised the efforts of the top fruit industry in increasing the UK market share against competition from global imports. However in the greater scheme of the horticulture and potato sector, which is one of the most diverse in British agriculture, with over 4,000 growers in Britain producing over 9 million tonnes, and 300 types of fruit & vegetable and potatoes.
Nationally the value of the horticulture sector in terms of its contribution to UK GDP is in the region of £3 billion.
The horticulture sector also employs around 37,000 people on a permanent basis and a further 56,000 seasonal workers every year.
The Catalyst for Change document is a very thorough analysis of Growing; Potential; At Risk; and Endangered, areas of Horticulture. Much too detailed to cover in this issue; as the NFU's initiative gains attention from the key elements of the supply chain, the avenues of opportunity will surely gain wider acknowledgment from all contributors to a more sustainable UK horticultural sector.
After the initial formalities, Mrs Leslie Mannington - Chair of Goudhurst & Paddock Wood NFU Branch invited us to walk around the 'Overall Winning Orchards' and we set off on a gentle walk around Northiam Farm, with George Chambers reviewing the farm's attributes and challenges.
We were so....lucky; a beautiful evening, (it was raining by bedtime) and what could be better than strolling around this very attractive farm in the company of fellow growers enjoying many a 'fine story' with old friends!
While Bramley is cropping heavily at Northiam Farm, Cox is patchy but heavy on circa 60% of the trees and with a very clean skin finish with very little skin russet. It is encouraging to see the Chambers family have kept faith with Worcester Pearmain and although a fair degree of stalk end russet is visible, there will still be a fair crop come harvest time!
The star dessert variety this year, and in most other recent years, is GALA which in spite of the calamitous weather has once again come up trumps with circa 90% of the 2011 yield. This is reflected at Northiam Farm with very good potential yields.
Probably the most prolific crops at Northiam Farm can be seen on the Bramley, which has required considerable thinning to ensure optimum fruit size.
After the walk - The Presentation!
The very high quality of entrants resulted in just a 'one point' difference between the winning farm and the runner up. In total twenty prizes for various categories were presented to successful entrants.
The BASF Championship Trophy for Winning 'Overall Farm' was presented to George Chambers by Simon Townsend - BASF
Other 'Category' winners!
A very prestigious evening for three entrants; Mike & George Chambers, Nigel Bardsley, and Ian & Nick Overy all won multiple prizes
And finally the Group Secretary's Trophy for Highest marks - Management - go jointly to George Chambers and Paul Hamlyn, representing G H Chambers Northiam Farms & Bardsley & Sons, Bluehouse Farm. Presented by Goudhurst & Paddock Wood Group Secretary - Martin Webber.
MOVING ON!
Initiatives are 'in fashion' at the moment; Catalyst for Change, the NFU's drive to overhaul the 'supply chain' is accompanied by a Government drive to attract young people into the farming industry!
The Future of Farming Group
The government is launching a drive to get more fresh talent into horticulture and agriculture.
The Future of Farming Group will look at how to break down barriers preventing talented, entrepreneurial young people from making careers in growing and farming.
Fewer young people are going into agriculture, while other related industries such as manufacturing are struggling to fill high-skilled posts in engineering and science.
Food and farming minister Jim Paice unveiled the initiative at a National Federation of Young Farmers event at Leeds Castle last week. He said: "The future of farming is important - and it needs to be addressed right across the sector. As the Green Food Project has demonstrated, this industry offers an exciting and important career if we are to continue to feed ourselves sustainably.
"A career in farming isn't only an option to people who come from farming families. British farming is highly skilled and if it is to maintain its high standards, we need to ensure that everyone who wants to go into the industry has the right skills, knowledge, and support to take on this challenge."
The Future of Farming Group will be chaired by David Fursdon, who chairs the South West Rural & Farming Network and is a former president of the Country Land & Business Association.
Fursdon said: "The challenge of producing more food in this country in a sustainable, profitable and affordable way is huge. The farming industry will need all its skill and expertise to do so. Undoubtedly this will mean attracting new blood … as skilled workers, managers, tenants and owners, and adopting the best methods and business structures. This group will build on the excellent work which is already being carried out within the farming industry and also stimulate some news ideas as well."
The recently published Green Food Project identified that if the UK is to have a successful, innovative and ambitious farming sector going forward, it needs to ensure that there are suitable numbers of people of the right calibre entering the food industry. This includes entrants from disciplines such as science, research, technology, advisory services and business management.
Source: Freshinfo
The English Apple Man comment; "I may be an old cynic, but our Government (whichever colour) enthuse about various initiatives, but tend to keep their hands 'deep in their pockets' when it comes to supporting UK horticulture. I despair when support is withdrawn from UK research, which is so important if we are to truly become more sustainable, while 'billions' are poured into the pockets of 'third world dictators' in the hope they will change their selfish ways!
I don't know about you, but I am getting so excited about our wonderful Olympic athletes; my Journal is late on-line largely due to our cycle heroes winning Gold Medals tonight!
Until next week, when The EAM will be reporting on more farm visits.....
Take care
The English Apple Man
