²ÝÁñÉçÇø

²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian journalist wins Guild award

Tom Ryder, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian interim deputy digital editor, has won the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ John Deere Training Award, with his article titled: Profitable upland farming: How Shropshire farmers are making the environment pay

clock • 1 min read
²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian journalist wins Guild award

The article featured a farmer-led group in Shropshire, The Upper Onny ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Group, who are working together to help improve land, water and wildlife while being financially stable, and was published as part of a ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian water special.

Featuring various farmers from the group, the article highlighted how collaboration and knowledge exchange play a key part in ensuring businesses thrive in the future, despite the uncertain political landscape.

READ THE ARTICLE NOW

Tom said it is an honour to win the award, and as someone who is from a farming background, promoting the sector is something he is passionate about.

"²ÝÁñÉçÇø like those in the Upper Onny ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Group are paving the way for anyone who wants to farm with nature, without losing out on profitability," he said.

"They are demonstrating real examples of farmers who have improved their land, water and wildlife, while also strengthening their margins.

"It is widely overlooked how much farmers care for the land they tend. No industry works with nature quite like ours, and we should shout about those who are showing how it can be done profitably."

"This is the key outlook - it is not about taking land out of food production, it is about working with your farm's land rather than against it."

READ NOW: Farming with the sea: Suffolk farmer turns flooding threat into a nature-based solution

Judges said Tom's story was ‘well written and thoughtfully sourced'.

The award will be presented at this year's Harvest Lunch on October 9 in London.

More on Environment

Efra chair says Natural England's wildfire policy has failed to account of upland farmers

Efra chair says Natural England's wildfire policy has failed to account of upland farmers

Alistair Carmichael moorland residents are often first responders without whose support more damage would be done

Jane Thynne
clock 28 June 2026 • 2 min read
New approach to help Government-owned land support nature recovery

New approach to help Government-owned land support nature recovery

The Government said as the biggest UK landowner, it had a unique opportunity to show how nature can be restored at scale while delivering essential public services

Alex Black
clock 26 June 2026 • 3 min read
Wildfire rips through 990 acres of Derbyshire moorland

Wildfire rips through 990 acres of Derbyshire moorland

Crews from across the region and beyond battle two-day blaze amid further extreme heat warnings

Jane Thynne
clock 26 June 2026 • 2 min read