Members of Gillingham and Shaftesbury Young Farmers’ Club in Dorset have been named winners of a competition to promote voluntary environmental schemes on-farm.

The Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) competition, launched by Farming Minister Jim Paice in December, challenged YFC members to propose how a farm business could support the CFE.

Judges selected the winning team of Dorset-based Carl Hoskins, Julie Ridout, Matthew Cradock and Jennifer Diment – all agriculture students at Kingston Maurward College – for their assessment of existing habitats on Lynch Farm, in Bridport, and proposals to enhance the farmed environment while boosting the commercial business.

The team’s proposal included both Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and voluntary options to support the CFE across its three themes; farm wildlife, farmland birds and resource protection.

NFYFC chairman James Williams said: “I have no doubt that the top three entries were outstanding in their field and are a credit to the clubs and colleges that they represent.

“The farmed environment is such an important part of so many farm businesses, it is reassuring to see that we have the knowledgeable talent coming through.”

In second place was the team of Andrew Stevens, David Ratcliffe and Stuart Gardener from Painswick YFC, Gloucestershire.

The team submitted an outstanding report demonstrating an excellent understanding of the CFE and how their chosen farm can support the campaign through voluntary measures alone.

Milly Wastie and Andrew Fyfe from Grendan YFC, Northampton, came third and were praised for their suite of voluntary measures.

The top placed teams received prizes from Agrii Consultancy Services, Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and Practical Farm Ideas.

Agrii Environment consultant Laura Francis, one of three judges, said: “I was really impressed with the high standard of all the entries.

“The winning team stood out for clearly demonstrating a sound knowledge and understanding of the CFE and how their chosen farm could support the campaign.”