M&S announces 'Farming for the Future' award shortlist to highlight commitment to farming

M&S Farming for the Future is a programme of initiatives which champions sustainability and innovation
M&S Farming for the Future is a programme of initiatives which champions sustainability and innovation

Farmers from St Andrews, Oban, Dumfries, Aberdeenshire and Inverness have today been announced as finalists in this year’s prestigious M&S ‘Farming for the Future’ awards.

The winners will be announced on the first day of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh on Thursday, 23rd June.

The shortlisted entries include:

Innovation Producer award

• James Lohoar, manages Glenbervie Home Farm in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire and produces Aberdeen Angus beef for M&S.

• Alan Steven from St Andrews manages Hillhead Farm and produces Brussels sprouts and parsnips for M&S.

Young Producer award

• Andrew MacLeannan, 27, manages M&S’s supply of Lochmuir Salmon at Scottish Sea Farms in Fiunary in Oban.

• David Watson, 34, helps to manage his family’s farm in Banchory in Aberdeenshire. He produces beef to M&S through the 2 Sisters Food Group.

Outstanding Producer award

• Husband and wife team, Henry and Emily Duncan, from the Nith Valley in Dumfries manage Whitehall Farm which has been in the family for 100 years. They produce Aberdeen Angus for M&S in partnership with Scotbeef.

• Steven Jack from Dalcross in Inverness supplies a range of carrots and potatoes to M&S through his specialist root vegetable growing and packaging business Nessgro. This is the second time Steven has been nominated for an M&S Farming for the Future award.

These farmers have impressed the judges with their commitment to the future of farming, from investment and welfare, to engagement with the community and retailers, and enterprising sustainable practices.

M&S Farming for the Future is a programme of initiatives which champions sustainability and innovation.

The programme is designed to help farmers identify opportunities for improvement, increase their profitability and provide a sustainable supply chain that can continue to deliver quality and innovation for the long term.

The awards celebrate suppliers working towards important M&S Plan A commitments including becoming carbon neutral, sending no waste to landfill, extending sustainable sourcing, setting new standards in ethical trading, and helping customers and employees live a healthier lifestyle.

Steve Mclean, M&S Head of Agriculture & Fisheries, said: "We are continually impressed with the commitment and passion our suppliers show towards sustainable farming practices and with such strong talent emerging within the industry, the judging process for our Farming for the Future Awards becomes more challenging every year.

"In what is my ninth year of presenting the M&S awards, I’m looking forward to once again honouring some of our top suppliers at the Royal Highland Show later this month."