Good Farming Practice Awards 2011

Ewan Benzie and son of Garnieston, Turriff has been announced as the winner of the Aberdeenshire Council-sponsored Good Farming Practice Award for 2011.

Provost Bill Howatson presented the trophy and certificate to Philip Benzie. 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 seven years, is to promote, encourage and recognise exemplary farm business management throughout North East Scotland.

The judge for the 2011 competition was David Brown, Braeside of Dipple, Fochabers who praised the Mr Benzie for the scale and quality of his operation which comprises 340 acres of carrots, 1000 acres of potatoes and a further 1000 acres of other arable crops combined with modern and highly efficient processing and packing facilities to meet supermarkets’ demanding specifications. Philip Benzie will host an Open evening in July 2012.

Runners-up receiving commendations were Ron Urquhart, Farms Manager with Seafield Estates and Richard and Jennifer Francis and their son Gareth of Scotstoun, Insch.