Now in its tenth year, the popular Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Farming Awards celebrate farmers and land managers who are doing outstanding work to conserve and enhance the landscape. The 2017 competition is now open.

Last year’s winner, Mike Johnson from Broome Farm, Peterstow, near Ross-on-Wye, demonstrated his outstanding contribution to the Wye Valley landscape with his environmentally minded orchard management, community work and cider production. This year, the Wye Valley AONB Partnership is widening the scope of the award, to all examples of positive land management.

The AONB Unit is seeking nominations from farms, community groups, organisations and individuals that make an outstanding contribution, in any shape or form, to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Wye Valley AONB. Anyone carrying out work in or adjacent to the Wye Valley AONB is eligible to enter with the possibility of winning £400 for first place, plus cash prizes for runners-up.Entries for this year’s awards need to be sent to the AONB by the deadline of Monday, May 15th. Nominations need to be written up on no more than a single side of A4 paper, explaining why you think you have made a special contribution and including your name, address, telephone number and email details. Send entries to AONB Farming Awards, Wye Valley AONB, FREEPOST SXC4106, Monmouth. NP25 3ZZ or email to [email protected].