Good Farming Practice Awards 2009

J Rhind and Co of Woodside Farm, Kinloss has been announced as the winner of the Aberdeenshire Council-sponsored Good Farming Practice Award for 2009.

The trophy was presented to Hamish Rhind by Deputy Provost Marcus Humphrey, who is himself an active farmer. The aim of the Good Farming Practice Awards, which are administered by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society and have been sponsored by Aberdeenshire Council for the past five years, is to promote, encourage and recognise exemplary farm business management throughout North East Scotland.

The judge for the 2009 competition was Jim Arbuckle, the well known and highly respected Farms Director of Dunecht Estates who praised the business for demonstrating excellence in all aspects, particularly their relationship with the public through a well established farm shop situated in the heart of the 500 acre farm which retails their own produce comprising vegetables, potatoes, free range eggs, turkeys and beef from their own Aberdeen Angus herd.

The enterprise continues to expand through direct and effective marketing to its customers who greatly value local produce with reduced food miles and the opportunity to speak directly to the producers. The judge also commended the Rhinds for the exemplary crop husbandry, machinery maintenance, and for doing all the building work in-house.

Runners-up receiving commendations were David and Alan Grant of Skillymarno, Strichen and William and Carole Ingram of Logie Durno Farm, Pitcaple. All three shortlisted nominees were featured in full-page articles in P&J Farm Journal over a three week period