Midlands’ farming and food champions named in New Year Honours List

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.    

“I have been inundated with well wishes and I have been overwhelmed with their kind words.

“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 farming.

Mr Oakes said he had also received a congratulatory message from Bromsgrove MP, Bradley Thomas, whose constituency he is in and hoped the politician would do all he could to support the industry.

“I thank him for his well wishes and hope he will do everything in his power to stop the family farm tax that is causing such concern across the country.

“I hope he can make a difference and help make the case to Government to support family farms and the work we do to produce food.”

Mr Oakes said he was looking forward to officially receiving the MBE alongside others named in the New Year Honours List and was waiting for details to be finalised.

While Mr Farrington, a cereal farmer from 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.

Carbon-neutral status was achieved by planting trees and installing solar panels, with renewable energy generating more than half the farm’s total requirements.

For every 1kg of plastic in its packaging, Farrington’s funds the removal and recycling of 1kg of plastic from the environment that would otherwise go to landfill or into the sea.

The Cabinet Office said Mr Farrington was “a prominent voice in the promotion of regenerative farming techniques” and a “role model to other farmers across the UK”.

Mr Farrington is also fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society and the family business Bottom Farm is a Leaf demonstration farm – showcasing sustainable and environmentally responsible agriculture.