FW Awards 2011: Farming Champion of the Year finalist – Minette Batters
Minette Batters
Barford Park Farm, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Minette Batters’ passion for British agriculture shines through in everything she does. Determined to make a difference, her energy, drive and sheer persistence enable her to open doors many others find shut.
As the NFU’s Wiltshire County chairwoman, Minette has earned tremendous respect in what can be a difficult role, engaging with farmers, the public and government with equal aplomb. A firm believer that farmers must connect better with the wider community, she instigated the revival of the Wiltshire County Show, and helped pilot a local initiative to get primary schoolchildren and teachers on to farms to learn more about food production.
A fifth-generation farmer from Salisbury, and mother to seven-year-old twins, Minette is not one to rest on her laurels, juggling business with family life. She runs a 300-acre rented farm with 100 suckler cows alongside a successful on-farm catering business serving the local corporate and wedding market, using beef from her own cattle.
She also ran the London Marathon for the first time in April, raising over £10,000 for the Junior Diabetic Research Foundation, who supported her young son George, a diabetic.
“When Minette is on a mission, it is hard to say no,” said Jilly Greed, who co-founded Ladies in Beef with Minette this year. Launched by the Princess Royal in March, Ladies in Beef was formed to promote British beef to consumers using a countrywide network of dynamic female farmers.
“Minette believes farmers must engage to get key messages on quality and farm assurance resonating with consumers and media. One of the most effective ways to do this is to harness the image and influence of lady beef producers, who the public can trust and relate to nurturing, cooking and caring for the family, alongside the raising of livestock to high production standards.”
This, and the first ever Great British Beef Week in April this year, have been among Minette’s greatest achievements. “With her fellow ladies, she has skillfully gained the support of the industry and leading retailers to help drive sales and awareness,” said Mrs Greed.
“Here is an inspiring farmer who gives unstintingly of her time to promote British agriculture, determined to raise its profile whenever she has the opportunity.”
FINDING A 2011 WINNER
Farmers Weekly readers and NFU members have been asked to give their views on who should take home the prestigious Farming Champion award. NFU president Peter Kendall will present it to the person, or persons, who you believe has been the best champion of British farmers in 2011 at the Farmers Weekly awards night in October.