Partnering with agricultural charity White Peak Farmers*, family-owned Longcliffe Quarries Ltd, is sponsoring the launch of a new sustainable farming award for 2026.

White Peak Farmers is a charity which works with farmers in the White Peak area across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the Peak District to ‘help create a better environment, produce sustainable food and build greater resilience in farming’.

Longcliffe has joined forces with this organisation to sponsor a new prestigious award for farmers, land managers and landowners.  The ‘Longcliffe Sustainable Farming Award’ celebrates outstanding and dedicated farmers who are working towards producing food in a sustainable and nature-friendly way; or land managers who are making successful gains for nature, as well as those who are sharing knowledge in their community or more widely.

There are two prizes on offer - £750 to the winner and £250 to the runner up.  All farmers and land managers in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the Peak District are eligible to apply, or anyone can nominate an eligible farmer or land manager. 

Ann Cantrell, Facilitator for White Peak Farmers says: “We are really thrilled that Longcliffe Quarries is supporting this award. We are also delighted to have it in memory of one of our founding members, Wilf Ward, who was a great supporter of the group, an advocate for people passing on their knowledge and working together, and a true inspiration to us all through his farming and stewardship of some of the White Peak’s most ancient and nature-rich meadows. It’s so important to celebrate and shine a light on the amazing work that farmers are doing to produce high quality food whilst caring for the environment and now we have the opportunity to do that.”

Longcliffe Group Managing Director Paul Boustead adds: “As an independent business with a history of almost 100 years in the White Peak area, and a commitment to developing sustainable agricultural products, we are delighted to sponsor this inaugural award. We look forward to seeing the variety of entries from across the area and to being part of the judging panel to choose the winners.”

Longcliffe, based near Wirksworth, is a family-owned independent company which produces over 100 calcium carbonate-based products, including a wide range of agricultural products used in applications such as liming and animal feeds. 

This award is to be given in memory of Wilf Ward, a local farmer who championed farming and the environment. Wilf managed a nationally important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), was a founding member of White Peak Farmers Facilitation Group and supported the next generation of farmers. Wilf sadly passed away in 2023.

To apply visit www.whitepeakfarmers.org.uk where you will find a link to the application form in the news section, or email [email protected] to request a printable version. Complete and submit the application online or return via email.  The deadline for applications is Friday 8th May, and the winners will be announced in early June.