TWO AGRICULTURAL experts from Droitwich put the town on the map when they struck gold in the British Farming Awards.
John Weston from Droitwich Spa Marina Ltd was presented with the Gold award for Diversification Innovator of the year.
His son-in-law and director Nick Parkes told the Standard: “Its a nice accolade to have. We’ve never entered a competition before and feel really pleased because it’s another platform for the business.
He added: “We started from nothing but a green field in July 2011. Today we have moorings for 238 canal boats. You have to adhere to lots of planning conditions, and in this process feel we have enhanced the wild life of the area as its gone from a purely agricultural field to six and a half acres of water.”
Jonathon Boaz from JF Boaz and Sons won the gold award for Arable Innovator of the Year. He said there is a rising need for farmers to look at the impact of their actions on the environment and emphasised the importance of preserving wildlife while continuing to farm.
“We need to decide if what we are putting into the ground is really suitable for human consumption.
“And although I wouldn’t call myself an eco-farmer, I take great inspiration from the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and use a microscope to examine the soil.”
He added: “It’s such a huge honour to have received the award and to be acknowledged.”
28th Apr, 2024
