Devon farmer awarded MBE for her services to Britain’s dairy industry
A LEADING light of the dairy sector, both regionally and nationally, has been recognised in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.
East Devon farmer, Di Wastenage, has been made an MBE for her services to the British dairy industry.
A patron of the Women in Dairy group - designed to bring women working in the industry together through regional discussion group meetings to learn, network and promote the image of dairy farming - Mrs Wastenage is a director of her family’s dairy farming business, Wastenage Farms, based in Budleigh Salterton, near Exeter.
She and her husband, Pete, were also named Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year in 2015, after winning the Farmers Weekly Dairy Farmer of the Year title.
Mrs Wastenage, a council member of Duchy and Bicton College, said of her accolade: “I am delighted to be awarded the MBE and I am proud to be representing the farming sector, both locally and nationally, especially during these challenging and dynamic times.
“Receiving this honour has come as a complete surprise and has ensured this tough year finishes on a very positive note.”
The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RADBF), of which Mrs Wastenage is vice chair, wrote on Twitter: “We are delighted our Vice Chair Di Wastenage has been awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list, for services to the dairy industry. What a fantastic achievement and thoroughly well deserved! Well done!”
Also posting on Twitter, Women in Dairy said: “We’re extremely proud of our patron @WastenageFarms, brilliant recognition for her passion, dedication and drive. Wonderful news!!”