Awards

Celebrate the remarkable

The Ian MacNicol Trophy

Every year, we host the Ian MacNicol Farm Conservation Award at the Norfolk FWAG Annual General Meeting. The winner is awarded the Ian MacNicol Memorial Trophy, which is named after a beloved Norfolk farmer in recognition of his and the Stody Estate’s environmental work.

Criteria

About the Award

This Norfolk farming competition is a joyous occasion where the local farming community celebrates all of the remarkable conservation work being carried out by Norfolk farmers. The Farm Conservation Award also acts as a terrific platform for us to demonstrate to the general public and the wider farming industry the incredible work going on in the background, on the fields of Norfolk farms, to preserve and enhance local species, habitats, natural resources and sustainable farming practices.

Being crowned a champion of agri-environmental conservation at these awards is a great honour and to decide, judges will be searching for demonstrable business approaches to conservation and sustainability against the following criteria:

Integration of conservation into the commercial system
Understanding of current conservation issues
The benefits of conservation measures
Conservation of natural resources
Crop Husbandry and Crop Protection

Enter or nominate

How to Enter

If you’re a farmer who has made great strides to inspire a conservation-minded approach to farming, and you would like to enter the next competition, please get in touch with our team at 01603 814 869 or by email at advice@norfolkfwag.co.uk

OUR 2026 AWARD APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN.

The Norfolk FWAG Farm Conservation Award for the Ian MacNicol Memorial trophy is presented every year to the farmer – who in the judge’s opinion – has made the most significant contribution to wildlife conservation on their land. Below, read the highlights of the 2025 award ceremony and discover previous winners of this prestigious award.

10+ years of awards

Previous Award Winners

2026 - James Tallowin, Willow Farm Hickling
2025 -Louise Bond, Bruce Seaman Farms in Bedingham near Bungay
2023 - James Butcher, Hall Farm in Diss
2022 – A.R Wilson in East Winch
2019 – MacGregor Farming Partnership
2018 – Hole Farm, Hempstead
2017 – Michael Rae of Roydon Hall Farms
2016 – David Lyles, Muckleton Farms near Burnham Market
2015 – Kempstone Manor Farm at Litcham
2014 – Richard Wright, of R.G Wright & Sons of Hardley, near Norwich
2013 - Willam Hepworth-Smith, Astley Farms in Barney
2012 - Bill Legge, Further Fen Farm in Downham Market
2011 - RS Cross & Son (Edward Cross), Abbey Farm in Flitcham
2010 - Peter Melchett, Courtyard Farm in Ringsteadt
2009 - Herbert Kittle, Pee-wit Farm in Briston

Ian MacNicol Farm Conservation Award 2025

Every year Norfolk FWAG looks to promote a farm which has embraced conservation actions, whilst maintaining a commercial farming business. We are always pleased to see