This week is an exciting time in the calendar for farmers down here in the West Country. Not only does it play host to the 128th year of the Devon County Show, but also the Addington Fund Devon Farm Business Awards Ceremony.
Having been shortlisted as a contender for the Lifetime Achievement award earlier this year, our founder, Peter Greig was of course in attendance, along with his devoted wife and co-founder of Pipers Farm, Henri.
Acknowledging Peter's outstanding commitment to farming throughout his lifetime, judges from Cornish Mutual said, “Peter has built a very impressive operation, giving a market to smaller family farming businesses. He has continued to adapt the business as markets have changed – with internet ordering. Peter has recruited chefs into the butchery, offering them better working hours and an improved work/life balance – creating proper jobs. Peter is passionate about sustaining traditional farming values that have been handed down through generations. Peter’s extensive advocacy work centres on the importance of a fairer, cleaner farming supply chain. Throughout his career he has held roles on WWFs Farming Advisory Board and The Education Committee for The Farmers Livery Company, has overseen The Challenge of Rural Leadership Course at Duchy College, and has contributed his passion and knowledge to countless events, panels and discussions within the food and farming industry.”
Peter's Lifetime Achievement award was well-deserved; an acknowledgement of Peter's passionate commitment to supporting small-scale family farms, sustainable food systems and farming in harmony with nature.
We are thrilled to share, in Peter's own words, his response to receiving this notable award:
"It was a very emotional moment!
We have always felt so strongly that family farming is such a vital part of the food supply chain and there was a real buzz of so many amazing young farmers at the dinner. Farming is an incredibly challenging and rewarding life in equal measure, and it is absolutely about teamwork. Farming families provide generations of support for each other and for the local community around them.
It was brilliant to share the stage with Henri. Right from the very start of Pipers Farm she has been the most amazing teammate. We are just so grateful that now Will and Abby have taken up the challenge of growing Pipers Farm, with a team of amazingly capable people around them. That's what farming is all about: teamwork.
A huge thank you to The Addington Fund for making the event happen and for the amazing job they do of respecting and supporting the farming community."
