Two members of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) have been awarded MBEs for their contributions to the agricultural sector. Michael Oakes, a former chair of the NFU Dairy Board, and Duncan Farrington, founder of the sustainable rapeseed oil brand Mellow Yellow, were recognized for their dedication and achievements.
Former NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes, of Rednal, who is a Worcestershire NFU member and Duncan Farrington, of Hargrave, Wellingborough, who is an East Northants NFU member, receive MBEs. Mr Oakes was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to dairy farming and Mr Farrington for services to agriculture and to the food and drink industry.
A long-term advocate for the dairy industry Mr Oakes has worked to benefit the sector to ensure it has a strong, resilient future. He served as NFU Dairy Board chair for eight years and also worked in a host of other regional NFU officeholder roles. While Mr Farrington, of Hargrave, Wellingborough, created cold pressed rapeseed oil brand Mellow Yellow in 2005 and in 2020 it became the first food product to be certified by the UN as plastic and carbon neutral. Mr Oakes said: “I was absolutely shocked when I got the official letter and I must say it has been very hard to keep quiet about it. “I am obviously very honoured but if it was not for fellow farmers and the support from them and the regional and national NFU teams I don’t think I would have received it. “I think this is really recognition for all those farmers, NFU officeholders and staff that I have worked with across the country who have helped to champion the dairy sector.“This has been a tough year for all of us and this brought a smile but it is business as usual here on the farm.” Over the years Mr Oakes has worked hard with fellow NFU officeholders and the dairy team to help get the regulation of dairy contracts over the line, guided the Dairy Roadmap and helped farmers during the demise of numerous processors. An advocate for charities such as the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and Farming Community Network he has also helped with Open Farm Sunday events, supported WeAreAgRespect events and been a regular guest at schools in Birmingham and elsewhere speaking about food and farmin
Agriculture Dairy Farming Food Industry Sustainability NFU
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hannah Scott and Marissa Callaghan Receive MBEs in New Year HonoursIrish athletes Hannah Scott and Marissa Callaghan are honored with MBEs in the New Year Honours list. Scott's Olympic gold medal win in Paris is recognized, while Callaghan receives the award for her contributions to football and the community.
Read more »
Rural Road Safety: NFU Mutual Partners with Unions to Promote Safe Driving PracticesNFU Mutual joins forces with UK farming unions to address the alarmingly high fatality rates on rural roads. The insurer, alongside RoSPA, the Farm Safety Foundation, British Horse Society, and Older Drivers Forum, develops a Code for Countryside Roads to guide safer driving in rural areas. This initiative stems from data revealing almost double the fatalities on rural West Midland roads compared to urban highways in 2023.
Read more »
NFU Cymru sets out its priorities for Welsh Government budgetMaintaining the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) budget for 2025 must be the key priority for Welsh Government when it publishes its draft budget for 2025-2026 next week, NFU Cymru has said.
Read more »
Shropshire NFU chair calls on farmers to 'look out for each other' after difficult 2024An outgoing NFU chief says the region's 'determined and resilient' farmers will tackle the challenges of this winter head on as he urged everyone to 'look out for each other'
Read more »
NFU President addresses Staffordshire farmers as industry battles ‘family farm tax’NFU President Tom Bradshaw called for farmers to continue to stand together against the ‘family farm tax’ with firm plans in place to keep the pressure up and push for change.
Read more »
NFU chief says he 'cannot rule out' food shortages if farmers go on strikeThousands of people joined the demonstration outside Downing Street against the budget, which farmers fear will damage their businesses, and futures and put food security at risk.
Read more »