Fowlescombe Farm in the South Hams of Devon has won The Beautiful Farm Award 2009/2010 for the West and South West region of Britain, presented at the House of Lords by top chef James Martin and Lord Palmer on 10th March 2010. For the award criteria and details about the farm scroll down

The criteria

“Now in their sixth year the awards are designed to highlight farms in the UK and Ireland that demonstrate that a beautiful farm and a profitable farm business can go hand-in-hand. Successful farming in the UK provides the beautiful farm views we know and love – it is this endeavour that puts crops in our fields, meat on our plates, maintains hedgerows, rivers and waterways, woodlands and hillsides. It is farming that puts the livestock in our fields and the patchwork of land that is a pleasure to see. Farming in the UK invigorates the countryside and brings commerce to the rural environment. It encourages wildlife and wildflowers, bugs and butterflies.
The Beautiful Farm Awards are about farming in harmony with the environment, the winners being a testament to what can be achieved to preserve and nurture this important balance.”

About Fowlescombe

Fowlescombe is a 191-hectare mixed organic farm in the delightful South Hams near Ugborough some 2 miles south of Dartmoor. It is the central part of what was once an important mediaeval estate in the catchment area of the Erme. The ruined manor house was abandoned over a century ago. The ancient field pattern and network of hedges is still substantially present, farmed in an environmentally sensitive way - wildlife conservation being a priority. The farm has some arable land, and extensive old and modern grassland on which we raise pedigree Aberdeen Angus and Devon Ruby Red cattle and also several types of rare breed sheep, goats, pigs and chickens.
The farm has over 30 miles of hedgerows and Devon banks.  Over the past ten years we have replanted, laid and coppiced hedgerows, created new woodlands and wildlife ponds, managed scrubland, and provided winter stubble for birds. The farm is now in Higher Level Environmental Stewardship after completing 10 years of Countryside Stewardship. The result is a beautiful valley with a wealth of wildlife such as buzzards, barn owls, tawny owls, hares, bats, song birds, foxes and badgers and a wonderful procession of spring flowers with snowdrops, primroses and bluebells. A small visitors’ centre was created as part of a barn conversion to enable us to host pre-booked educational visits for schools, colleges and the local community.
Fowlescombe, like many farms, is a diverse business. The primary enterprise is selling pedigree livestock for breeding and finished animals to Waitrose and local butchers.  We also run two five-star self-catering holiday cottages (now used for long term rent), host and cater for training events, and sell our own produce such as sheepskins and woollen goods. The farm is certified organic by the Soil Association.
Richard and Barbara started farming seriously only ten years ago. Barbara does the ‘fun’ things like the paperwork, but as an ex-science teacher she enjoys helping children of all ages discover where their food comes from and learn about wildlife. Between farming activities, Richard is on the Council of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, which endeavours to preserve rare and traditional farm animals. (Adam Henson from Countryfile who is well known for his enthusiasm for these breeds is the son of a founder member of the RBST.) Richard is passionate about finding new ways of using these animals for sustainable farming in the future – given the escalating cost of fertiliser and diesel. He also works with Devon Farms, a cooperative of 130 B&B and self-catering cottages on working farms across Devon.

The award concept came from FarmBusiness magazine and was sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.