Award for Russ Carrington inaugural presentation unveiled
In a celebration of sustainable farming practices and animal welfare, Andy Rumming, a farmer from the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border, has been named the first recipient of the Russ Carrington Award. This annual accolade, created by bronze sculptor Mairi Hunt, honours farmers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to environmental standards, animal welfare, and community support.
Rumming, who runs a beef enterprise with his father and brother, has been praised for his high environmental standards, his promotion of the Pasture for Life (PFLA) initiative to both farmers and consumers, and his active support for other members and farmers in his area. The PFLA is a UK-based organisation that promotes sustainable farming and grass-fed livestock production.
The award-winning farmer has also shown innovation in adapting to challenging times. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rumming developed an online farm shop to continue selling beef, ensuring his products remained accessible to consumers.
The dung beetle sculpture, symbolising the award, will be handed to Rumming later this year. The sculpture is modeled on a real Geotrupes spiniger specimen, one of the UK's largest tunnelling dung beetles. This species, which is active from May to October and flies at dusk using its sense of smell through clubbed antennae, is associated with cattle, sheep, and horse dung.
The judging panel for the award includes Vicky Robinson, Olly Spence, Denise Walton, Tom Morrison, and the award's namesake, Russ Carrington. The winners of the award will join the judging panel the following year.
Mairi Hunt, the sculptor behind the award trophy, is known for her bronze sculptures of animals. Her passion for sculpture was sparked at an early age on her family's farm. Hunt's detailed, lifelike representations of animals reflect her skill in bronze sculpting techniques focused on naturalistic animal figures.
Rumming, who has developed markets for various products from his animals, including beef hearts on skewers and fine leather goods, will undoubtedly continue to make a significant impact in the farming industry. His dedication to sustainable farming practices, community support, and innovation make him a worthy recipient of the Russ Carrington Award.
Andy Rumming, the entrepreneurial farmer who has continuously shown innovation in his beef enterprise, stands as a prime example of dedication to sustainable business practices within the farming industry. His commitment to environmental standards, promotion of the Pasture for Life (PFLA) initiative, and development of online business solutions have positioned him as a significant figure in both finance and entrepreneurship within agriculture.
