A farmer from Middlewich has been nominated for a national farming award.
Philip Smallwood was nominated for the accolade by Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) called on MPs to nominate their community farming heroes as an initiative to help celebrate the important role farmers play in rural communities.
Farmers who have supported their community during hard times, raised funds for charities, provided services beyond farming, and helped people to enjoy the farmed landscape are eligible for the award.
Mr Smallwood runs a family dairy farm in Stanthorne – part of the Bostock Estate, which itself has been family-run concern for generations since the early 1800s.
The farm uses its website to show anyone who wants to learn more about farming what Phil and his family do there, and how they do it.
He’s come to be known by some locally as the ‘chick man’ as he takes his hatching chicks with him to events and schools to provide a visual and tactile way to help children and members of the public to learn more about where their food comes from.
Mr Smallwood is also chair of the NFU’s Let’s Talk Farming marquee at The Royal Cheshire County Show which attracted over 16,000 people earlier this year.
Mr Timpson said: “I’m proud of the fantastic farming and growing community we have here in Eddisbury and rural south Cheshire.
“When I heard about the superb job that Philip does to open his farm to the community and the world wide web to share the vital work that farmers do, I had no choice but to nominate him for this award.”
Mr Smallwood, commented: “I’m chuffed to have been chosen by Edward to be Eddisbury’s community farming hero, and excited to have been nominated for an NFU award.
“There’s a lot of pressure on farmers right now – whether it’s hot and dry weather, or reduced food security caused by the conflict in Ukraine – so it feels good to be recognised by my local MP for getting on with the job and keeping the future of farming in mind.”
Regional winners of the inaugural Community Farming Hero awards will be announced on Back British Farming Day in Westminster on 14th September.
