8th October 2009 | Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London

2007 Farmer of the Year

John Geldard holds up his gold trophy, flanked by HRH Countess of Wessexand awards presenter Jon Culshaw(right) and Jane King, Editor of FarmersWeekly

LIVESTOCK farmer and creator of the Plumgarth’s brand, John Geldard, has been crowned the 2007 Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year. Mr Geldard, who farms at Low Foulshaw near Kendal, received a standing ovation from the 950 guests at the London Grosvenor House Hotel.

In 2001 Mr Geldard set up the Plumgarths hub to market his own beef, sheep and free-range eggs along with that of other local producers. The net result is that he and his Cumbrian farmer neighbours are capturing and sharing added value by pooling their products and supplying local customers and retailers direct.

Sheila Dillon, the BBC radio 4s Food programme presenter says: “John is an inspiration. He is putting farmers back into the driving seat of the food system, showing how they can deal with supermarkets as equals.”

The Plumgarth group now supply more than local 100 hotels and restaurants, 18 Asda stores and Penrith Center Parc with high quality locally reared, and branded, beef and sheep.

He was the winner of the Local Food Farmer of the Year sponsored by Farmshop.uk.com, and along with 11 other category winners, went through in the shortlist for the coveted title of Farmer of the Year. His vision and leadership has had such a powerful impact on his own business, and that of so many others that he was clear the winner.

Farm Facts

210ha grassland
1,000 pure Lleyn ewes
120 pedigree Charolais ewes
130 suckler cows
39,000 free-range hens

The Plumgarth story

Plumgarth hub set up in 2001 with England Rural Development Grants
Plumgarth Farm Shop launched for consumers to experience `real meat’ hung to ensure maximum taste and texture
Plumgarths Asda local sourcing marketing 80 different local brands in 12 stores
Plumgarths Center Parcs providing the Penrith site with 30 different branded products from 12 local producers
Plumgarths Food Service supplies 100 local hotels and restaurants
Lakelands Food Park offers local farmers food processing, marketing and technical support
Westmorland Pudding Company produces traditional recipes using local ingredients

For details of all the 2008 Farmers Weekly Awards Winners click here.

To find out more about previous winners and what the judges were looking for, click the relevant link below:

< 2008 Winners

< 2007 Winners

< 2006 Winners

< 2005 Winners