A FARM with 40 hectares of woodland at its heart was honoured during a first-of-its-kind award ceremony.
Netherurd Home Farm picked up the maiden Best Agroforestry Award at the Scottish Agriculture Awards 2023 this week, which celebrated the heroes of the country’s rural industries.
Run by Andrew Adamson and his wife Jayne, Netherurd has built a fine reputation for incorporating tree cover onto its land, providing shelter from wind and inclement weather to its lambs during the winter, and shade for the stock in summer months. Part of the Scottish Government’s Integrating Trees Network, the farm, near West Linton, is 721 to 1,150 feet above sea level and works to improve existing woodlands by thinning to produce better saw logs and to earmark areas for new woodland creation.
READ MORE: New measures introduced to boost agroforestry in Scotland
The award was sponsored by machinery dealer Field and Forest Machinery.
Operations manager Eddie Cattanach presented the prize on the night, and said: “Field and Forest Machinery would like to congratulate all the deserving winners at the award ceremony, especially Netherurd Home Farms, W. Laird & Sons, who were the winners of our sponsored category, the Best Agroforesty Award.
“We wish Netherurd Home Farm every continued success in the future and were honoured to be part of such a prestigious event.”
Netherurd fought off tough competition from The Woolly Pig Company, with the winner announced during a lavish gala ceremony at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Other gongs handed out on the night included Dairy Farm of the Year (Coopon Carse Farm), Scottish Beef Farm of the Year (Firm of T Hodge, Rulesmains Farm), and Supplier of the Year (Redpath Tyres).
The inaugural Agroforestry Award was judged by Forestry Journal’s experts, and managing editor John McNee said: “Netherurd Home Farm exemplifies agroforestry excellence by seamlessly integrating trees and sheep into a sustainable, biodiverse ecosystem which enhances its own business.
“Its thoughtful approach to creating, managing and incorporating woodland offers significant benefits the landscape and livestock while supporting wildlife habitat and producing commercial timber.
“With owners dedicated to educating fellow farmers about the benefits of trees, this harmonious coexistence of agriculture and forestry serves as a shining model for sustainable land management, making it a worthy award recipient.”
The Scottish Agriculture Awards 2023 were run by our sister title, The Scottish Farmer, alongside AgriScot and the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland.
If you are interested in sponsoring or wish to be part of the 2024 awards, contact Dali Dahmane on: 0141 302 7759 or email: dali.dahmane@forestryjournal.co.uk
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