This prestigious Awards Scheme - now in its second year - celebrates environmental excellence and innovation in wildlife friendly farming.
Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said: "These awards showcase how first-rate environmental land management and sound farm business can go hand in hand.
"Natural England believes that the future of farming lies in adopting techniques that not only produce high quality food, but also enhance the beauty of the English landscape and conserve and protect our much-loved native wildlife."
To enter the awards, visit the Natural England website at www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/landmanagement/default.htm.
Application is easy - the straightforward form asks for details of the applicant's farm and for a short summary of achievements in environmentally-friendly farming. This includes adopting sustainable farming techniques which enhance the landscape and conserve wildlife. The form should take only 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Alternatively, the form can be completed by a Natural England adviser on a farmer's behalf. The closing date for applications is 20th June.
Three farmers will be selected from the region to attend the final awards ceremony in November. Last year, Graham Dixon from Alwinton, in Northumberland, won the regional award for the sustainable, low impact farming system he has adopted on his upland farm.
Once managed using a conventional high input farming system of fertilizers and slurry, Alwinton Farm is now into its second 10-year Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) agreement and managed under a certified organic system. Meadows are now managed to encourage diversity of grasses and flowers, which attracts a wide variety of insects, mammals and birds - and hundreds of people who visit the area to enjoy the low stress environment.
Also recognised in last year's awards was Chris Hodgson, from Piercebridge, in Darlington. Much of the land on Chris' organic grassland farm has been reclaimed from gravel extraction. He has also restored old neglected hedgerows and planted new ones. The farm is popular with several community groups who use the farm and its facilities for themed walks.
For more information about the awards, visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/landmanagement/default.htm, or call Jim Milner on 0191 229 5465.
