Farmer who ‘is not scared to push outside the box’ wins top conservation award

A farmer in Kent who ‘feeds the soil not the plants’ has been honoured with a top conservation award for his work.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents hundreds of farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the county, awarded its Emsden Trophy last night (Thursday, 9 July).

The awards presentation and drinks reception was hosted by last year’s winner, Thanet Earth. The 2026 recipient is Andrew Lingham at Court Farm in near Upper Haling, near Rochester, as nominated by Kent Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG).

The Linghams have been farming at Court Farm for three generations, and Court Farm Butchery & Country Larder is a well-known brand in north Kent since opening to the public in the 1990s.

Andrew has turned his once conventional high-input farm into a low-input, self-sufficient one with a drive towards removing reliance on artificial nitrogen and improving soil biology and resilience.

He continues to grow milling wheat, oilseed rape and graze cattle, and is driving new markets for his own produce via his farm shop, on-site brewery and pop-up pizza venue.

Andrew said: “I’m very honoured to receive this award, it means a lot to us to be recognised. Thank you to the CLA for organising the award and this event.”

CLA South East Regional Director Tim Bamford said: “Many congratulations to Andrew Lingham and his family for this richly deserved award. The CLA is always thrilled to recognise the conservation and environmental efforts of farmers, and this year is no different.

“Farmers and growers across the Garden of England are custodians of the landscape, as well as helping to feed the nation, and we’re proud to celebrate their work in this small way.

“Thank you to Thanet Earth for hosting the tour and presentation, and we’re already looking forward to visiting Court Farm next summer to see first-hand their impressive set-up.”

Adviser Jack Scott, who nominated the Linghams, said: “Andrew is a fantastic example of how a truly local food system can thrive. From field to fork, everything is kept as local as possible. Beef reared on the farm is sold through his butcher’s shop, home-grown grains are used for brewing and other purposes, livestock are integrated into the farming system, and the diversified farm courtyard has become both a destination for exceptional local food and a valuable community hub.

“Andrew has also gone a step further by putting soil health at the heart of his farming approach. His focus on improving soil biology is delivering real results. By reducing nitrogen inputs, cutting fungicide and pesticide use, establishing summer cover crops, adopting intercropping, applying biology directly to the root zone, creating pollen and nectar margins, and growing diverse crops such as heritage grains, he is building a more resilient farming system while continuing to produce high-quality food. Andrew is not scared to push outside the box.”

The event, which is supported by BTF Partnership, is held in memory of Brigadier Brian Emsden, the Kent and Sussex CLA Regional Secretary in the 1980s who died of cancer in post. He was very keen on wildlife and conservation, hence the award in his name.