High Nature Value Farming Awards

The Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected Farming Awards aim to promote importance of High Nature Value (HNV) farming systems, showcasing and celebrating farmers and land managers who protect and maintain valuable upland habitats in this area. Through our main funder, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are offering a £500 award for the winner in each of the categories:

1. High nature value farming best practice
2. Nature recovery

The window for entries for the 2025 awards is now open and the closing date is Sunday 31 August 2025.

The 2024 winners were Paul & Jen Johnson, Herdship Farm in the high nature value farming category, Julia Carr, Marrick Park in the nature recovery category, and Catherine Calvert of Hazel Brow Farm in the public engagement category.

The 2023 winners were Ray and Sue Ridley of Kexwith Farm, near Marske in the high nature value farming category, Charlie and Gina Parker of Hill Gill Farm, Baldersdale in the nature recovery category, and Jemma and John Clark of Bowlees Farm, Newbiggin-in-Teesdale in the public engagement category.

Award ceremony

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony on 15 October at the first of our autumn Farmer Talks series at the Moorcock Inn, Eggleston.

Criteria

There will be a two-stage judging process, an assessment of nominations to produce a shortlist, and an on-the-ground assessment to choose the category winners. We can also pay shortlisted farmers a contribution for their time during the final on-farm judging.

The criteria for the three awards are detailed below with the assessment for the shortlisting outlined. The same criteria will be used for final stage judging during a visit of the judging panel to the shortlisted farms.

High Nature Value Farming Best Practice

We want to recognise farmers and land managers who have continually managed important habitats (for example, upland hay meadows) and species (curlew and other waders) on their farm and who have integrated sensitive high nature value farming methods into their farming business to conserve and enhance these areas.

Nominations should demonstrate the features present on the holding as well as how the sensitive management of these has been integrated into the farming business over a sustained period of time.

Criteria:

1. Open to all farmers/land managers in the Tees-Swale area – see the map of the programme area here.
2. Explain how they have managed one or more important habitats over time.
3. Demonstrate the features and habitats present on the holding.
4. Demonstrate how the farmer/land manager integrated HNV farming practices into their farming business.
5. Demonstrate the longevity of these practices.

Nomination form – Word and PDF

Nature Recovery

We want to recognise farmers and land managers who have carried out work on their holding to create/restore/expand habitats and improve conditions for species. Nominations should demonstrate that nature recovery works have been carried out on the holding and ongoing management of these integrated into their farming business.

Criteria:

1. Open to all farmers/land managers in the Tees-Swale are – see the map of the programme area here.
2. Demonstrate nature recovery works carried out on a farm/holding.
3. Demonstrate the benefits of these works – for habitats or species.
4. Demonstrate how nature recovery is being and will continue to be integrated into their farming business.

Nomination form – Word and PDF

Nominations

Farmers and land managers can nominate themselves or be nominated by others. Conditions of entry include allowing on-farm judging if shortlisted and agreeing to publicity.

The award ceremony and presentation

The awards ceremony will take place on 15 October 2025 at the first talk of the autumn farmer talks series.