Several NFU members were amongst the 24 winners that scooped top prizes at the UK Grower Awards 2016 earlier this week.
The awards, presented by broadcaster and comedian Paul Sinha, best known as one of the Chasers on the ITV quiz show ‘The Chase’, celebrated the best of British horticulture this year and offered growers the chance to showcase their achievements.
The NFU attended the event, sponsoring the Young Grower of the Year Award and acting as nominee for the winner of the UK's Ornamentals Grower of the Year Award into the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards 2017.
Winners 2016
Outstanding Contribution to Industry: Steve Rothwell, Vitacress
Agronomist of the Year: John Sedgwick, Produce World Group
Top Sales/Marketing Professional: Mike Gibbon, sales manager, Berry Gardens
Best Environmental Initiative: Vitacress for Environment Week
Best Production Manager: Jonathan Marquis, Lovania Nurseries
Best New Variety (hardy nursery stock): Thompson & Morgan for Buddleja 'Buzz Indigo'
Best New Variety (bedding and pot plant): Plants for Europe for Salvia 'Love & Wishes'
Best New Variety (fruit): East Malling Research for 'Malling Centenary' strawberry
Best Professional Product or Service: CocoGreen for H2CoCo
Nursery Stock Grower of the Year: Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Potato Grower of the Year: LF Papworth
Specialist Ornamental Grower of the Year: M&R Morton for Sweet Peas
Vegetable Grower of the Year: Freshgro
Top/Stone-Fruit Grower of the Year: Mack and Charles Highfield
Soft-Fruit Grower of the Year: AJ & CI Snell
Salad Grower of the Year: Home Harvest Salads
Specialist Fruit Grower of the Year: Guardtop for Aronia Berry Plantation
Protected Ornamental Grower of the Year: Lovania Nurseries
The NFU sponsors the Young Grower of the Year Award, and as such, Acting Chief Horticultural Adviser, Chris Hartfield presented the award.
Young Grower of the Year: James Lacey, L&D Flowers
Edible Crop Grower of the Year: AJ & CI Snell
Ornamental Crop Grower of the Year: Bransford Webbs Plant Company
Lifetime Achievement: Brian Hibberd, Abbey View Produce
Judges for this year were British Grower Association chief executive Jack Ward, independent nursery stock consultant John Adlam, AB Agronomy joint managing director Andy Richardson, AHDB Horticulture fruit expert Andrew Tinsley, Stockbridge Technology Centre's Graham Ward and garden industry adviser Neville Stein.
Sponsors for this year's event were: AG Recruitment & Management, Cocogreen, De Lacy Executive, the HTA, ICL Lallemand, Jiffy, Levington Advance Solutions, New Spitalfields Market, the NFU, Rijk Zwaan and Vitax Grower.