Celebrating Farming with Nature: FWAG East Conservation Awards 2025
- Shaun Dowman
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Yesterday evening, around 80 guests gathered at Finches Farm in Hertfordshire to celebrate excellence in conservation farming at the annual FWAG East Conservation Awards. After a day of rain, the skies cleared just in time for the tractor and trailer tour of the host farm, last year’s award winner Andrew Bott. A heavy shower did pass through partway round, but it did little to dampen spirits and the rest of the evening remained dry, bright, and full of conversation.
The tour took in highlights of Andrew’s work at Finches Farm, including his regenerative farming system, restored ponds, ancient woodlands and carefully managed stewardship margins. Guests enjoyed the chance to see first-hand how nature and productive farming can thrive side by side, with walking stops that sparked conversation and inspiration.
Following the tour, guests gathered for a relaxed buffet of drinks and finger food, and the much-anticipated announcement of this year’s Conservation Award winner.
The Conservation Awards are FWAG East’s annual celebration of farmers who go above and beyond to care for their land, champion wildlife, and farm in harmony with the environment. This year, three outstanding nominees were shortlisted, each offering a unique and inspiring approach to sustainable food production and environmental care:
Humphrey Mills – Walnut Farm, Essex
A mixed regenerative farmer who grows cereal crops and grazes cattle on permanent pastures and herbal leys. Humphrey’s approach is guided by ecological insight, using livestock as a tool to improve soil health and manage habitats.
Even the cows turned out for the judges at Walnut Farm Andrew Gibson – High Trees Farm, Hertfordshire
Andrew has a traditional Hereford cattle herd and runs an on-site butchery, connecting his community to high-welfare, local meat. His farming practices support traditionally laid hedgerows, flower-rich grasslands, and clean watercourses.
Louise Morton – Ryes Valley Farm, Essex
A passionate land manager whose mixed farm now includes a rich mosaic of habitats. Louise has carried out bold and ambitious restoration work, planting trees, creating scrub, and enhancing floristic diversity, bringing life back to the landscape.
And the 2025 FWAG East Conservation Award Winner is... Humphrey Mills!
We are delighted to announce that Humphrey Mills of Walnut Farm has been awarded this year’s FWAG East Conservation Award. His thoughtful integration of ecological principles of land management and food production particularly impressed the judges. From restoring soil life through regenerative farming practices to managing woodlands, hedgerows and field margins as rich habitats, Humphrey embodies the practical, positive role that farmers can play in supporting biodiversity.
Judge Mathew Doggett said:
“At first glance, some might dismiss it as scruffy farming, but we see great habitats for wildlife. Look closer, and you see a system that works with nature, not against it. Humphrey’s decisions are rooted in knowledge, care, and long-term thinking.”
Our winner Humphrey Mills responded:
“I was really surprised, and genuinely flattered, to win, especially after seeing Andrew Bott’s environmental achievements and sympathetic habitat improvements. Farming can be a solitary business, which can leave you questioning if you're on the right track, so to have FWAG recognise the way I farm with nature in mind really does mean a lot.”
Shaun Dowman, Agroecology Lead Advisor for FWAG East, added:
“We had three fantastic nominees this year, each bringing a different perspective to farming and land management, but all showing that nature can sit at the centre of good decision-making. Tonight highlights the brilliant work happening across our region, and we’re thrilled to congratulate Humphrey Mills as our winner. His unique approach, with soil health and wildlife always front of mind, is clearly making a difference.”
The evening was as charming as it was inspiring. The hum of conversation, the clink of wine glasses, and the backdrop of a working farm alive with birdsong created the perfect atmosphere to celebrate the good that farming can do. It reminded us that the future of conservation is not only in the hands of environmental NGOs or policy-makers, but in the fields, hedgerows and farmyards of people like Humphrey, Andrew and Louise.
With thanks to our event sponsors, Affinity Water and Ashtons Legal. We are also very grateful to the Botts for hosting the event and to Ernest Doe for supplying a trailer.