Suffolk farmer receives top conservation award

A Suffolk farmer has won the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) National Silver Lapwing Award for his efforts to promote excellent habitat and environmental management on his farm.

Edward Flatt, of Eastwood Farm, received the award earlier this month. Now in its 40th year, the accolade is bestowed by FWAG, in collaboration with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and Linking Environment and Farming.

Mr Flatt was chosen from a national shortlist of seven farms, all of which demonstrated a high standard of environmental practice and food production, but Silver Lapwing Award head judge Charles Beaumont explained why Mr Flatt’s efforts stood out: “Edward has used his own environmental knowledge and experience of growing spring crops on light land to produce a first-rate effort. It was his 12m cultivated headlands that really caught the eye — brilliantly executed, with perfect timing, they have produced a profusion of rare arable plants.”

Mr Flatt commented: “I am delighted to have won the Silver Lapwing Award. To win such a prestigious award for conservation and sustainability, against competition from farmers across Britain, is a real honour. I am very grateful to my Suffolk FWAG adviser, Tim Schofield, and my landlord, Hugh Crossley, for helping me get to this point.”

Chris Butler, chairman of the FWAG Association, also offered his congratulations: “I am delighted to see another worthy winner in the 40th year of the Silver Lapwing Award. It is vital for organisations such as FWAG to continue to promote the great work that many farmers do to protect our environment.

“Edward Flatt is an exemplar of how to do it right and he has been justly recognised by the judges for all of his hard work in conservation, alongside the production of great food.”

Edward Flatt received the award after heading a national shortlist