Rural Business Awards
The rural business award has been won by the Butler family of East Wick Farm on The Crown Estate’s Savernake estate in Wiltshire.
Richard Butler is the third generation of his family to farm at East Wick Farm, acquiring the current tenancy in 1978. Together with approximately 142 hectares (350 acres) of his own land, he now farms 560 hectares (1,400 acres) in the area, in partnership with his wife, Sue, and son David.
In addition to the dairy, arable and beef operations, Richard and David also operate a contract farming company, E W Contracting Ltd, providing a service for four local landowners. The contract farming company is a highly effective form of diversification, together with a successful portfolio of residential lettings run by the family.
Whilst operating as two separate businesses, the combined effect is that the business is farming over 1,000 hectares (nearly 2,500 acres). It is very noticeable that both businesses seek to employ high calibre staff, utilising an external dairy contracting company. Staff are encouraged to play a full and responsible part within the farm business.
Richard Butler is very active with regard to environmental and conservation issues. There has been annual investment in new hedge planting and tree planting which has made a very real impact on the farm.
The farm joined the Countryside Stewardship Scheme upon its introduction, particularly benefiting the chalk downland and other environmental work through its capital grant payments.
The farm joined the entry level scheme in 2006, taking its points from field margins, field corners, as well as wild bird cover and pollen and nectar mix. The Butler family play a full part in the local community and David is a parish councillor. They also host a number of school visits to the farm.
Richard Butler and his family have built a very broad and successful agri-business from East Wick Farm and have taken a highly flexible and long-term view towards the future of the business and son David has been encouraged to take a full role in all aspects of the business. The judges were very impressed by the demonstrable ways in which the business plays to the strengths of individual family members.
