MAY 5, 2010: Country Smallholding is delighted to launch the 2010 Smallholder of the Year Competition! In this exciting national competition, we are searching for a smallholding that exemplifies best practice and offers an inspiring vision.
Country Smallholding launched the Smallholder of the Year award to celebrate and support the dedication of smallholders at a time when self-sufficiency becomes ever-more relevant.This year’s contest, run in association with Verm-X, will be even bigger than last year’s, with a new junior section. The winner of the main competition will receive �1,000, a trophy and a voucher for �100 worth of Verm-X animal health products. There will also be trophies and Verm-X products for the entrants in second and third place. The winner of the junior section will receive �500, a trophy and �50 worth of Verm-X products. Last year’s Smallholder of the Year Competition – the first –was a great success, with a high standard of entrants. The winner, Jane Fanner, was presented with her prize at a special awards lunch at Percy’s Country Hotel and Restaurant on the Devon/Cornwall border. Jane has an inspirational smallholding around a narrowboat in Oxfordshire, and has now started writing for the magazine. Entering is easy
We have made the entry form much simpler for this year’s competition – CLICK HERE TO ENTER. The judges will be looking at a range of issues, including care of livestock, land management and environmental awareness. The winner will not necessarily be someone with lots of resources. It may be someone with a modest smallholding who, nevertheless, impresses the judges with their dedication and commitment to this way of life. The closing date for entries has been extended to Friday July 9th, and every entrant will receive a Verm-X introductory pack. Six of the leading contenders, and three junior entrants, will then be featured in the magazine. The judges will draw up a shortlist, and we will be back at Percy’s in the autumn to honour the 2010 winners. It is a beautiful country venue, and award-winning chef Tina Bricknell-Webb is sure to serve a delicious lunch.The judges include Country Smallholding editor Simon McEwan, two of our writers, author, TV presenter and sustainable living expert James Strawbridge and leading vet Victoria Roberts, Philip Ghazala, managing director of Verm-X, and Anna Merritt, publisher for Archant South West’s rural magazines, who produce Country Smallholding.Proud supportersWe are pleased to be running the competition in association with Verm-X. This is an award-winning product for the natural control of internal parasites in animals. It is a British product that focuses solely on reducing the use of chemicals in animal husbandry, and has proved particularly popular with smallholders. The principle focus is on using 100% herbal and natural ingredients that, whilst effective, are gentle on your animal’s gut and digestive system. You can find out more at www.verm-x.com
