‘Exceptional farmer’ wins 2025 sustainability award

A Cambridgeshire farmer has scooped a prestigious award for integrating arable production and nature to create a profitable business.

David Felce received the 2025 Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability at a special ceremony last month. The award was organised by BASF, in partnership with the Andersons Centre, Country Trust and Royal Entomological Society,

The competition was open to any grower implementing outstanding sustainable farming practices. Judges praised Mr Felce for his collaboration, biodiversity income streams and impeccable sustainability mindset.

Exceptional calibre

“The calibre of our finalists was exceptional,” said Alice Johnston, BASF’s agricultural sustainability manager for UK and Ireland.

“Our visit to each business highlighted what’s achievable when a farmer understands their land and how to complement production agriculture with enhancing the wide diversity of flora and fauna that each farm supports.”

Mr Felce won because of his broad delivery on every aspect of sustainable agriculture – particularly his soil health, commitment to water catchment management, wildlife species diversity and his full embrace of integrated pest management.”

A good foundation was vital, said Mr Felce. “With so many variables, understanding the basics, and interactions is likely to be key to developing a sustainable farm and countryside for future generations to enjoy.”

Soil health

Judges said Mr Felce had employed cropping to improve soil health, and undertaken farm-wide carbon assessments, prioritising collaboration to benefit all aspects of his business at Midloe Grange Farm, near Huntingdon.

In terms of wildlife, he had widened the range of biodiversity and types of habitats, created large areas of native woodlands, protected watercourses and utilised technology for environmental monitoring.

Judges said they were fascinated by David’s pioneering approach to trading Biodiversity Net Gain credits generating income equivalent to his previous support payments – and his decision to invest in his business by taking delivery of an autonomous AgXeed tractor.

Mr Felce said: “The family and farm has always been at the heart of all we do, and while my name is on the award, it is recognition for my wonderful wife Hayley, and whole family.”

Runners-up impress judges

Joint runners up for the award were Andrew Brown from Fairchilds Lodge in Rutland; and Emma and Martin Hamer from Meadowsweet Farm in Oxfordshire.

With a strong focus on wildlife and the environment, Mr Brown’s vow to continuous enhancements has included planting 3,500 native trees – with the help of local schools and scout groups – and the sowing of bird, pollen and nectar seed mixes.

He has also established a 3.5km permissive bridleway for the local community, owl nesting boxes, and the implementation of two-year grass free legume mixes, to help eliminate black-grass and enhance wheat crop potential.

Emma and Martin Hamer run a mixed enterprise. Half the land is arable and the rest is in grass, allowing them to combine a wide rotation while integrating their beef herd, contributing positively to both soil and crop health.

They are passionate about adopting new approaches to improve the business and create a completely circular system. This has included experimenting with bi-cropping – growing peas or beans with oats – as feed for their livestock.

They regularly conduct bird surveys, have sown wildflowers into grass, installed bird nesting boxes, and have offered space to a local beekeeper to encourage more pollination.

BASF’s Alice Johnston said: “The Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability was created to celebrate the value and importance that the agricultural and wider rural sector is placing on sustainability on every level.”