Harper Adams University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Granted Royal Agricultural Society Associateship
An ongoing contribution to Agriculture has seen Harper Adams Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Lee made an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies at their annual awards.
The English Panel of the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS) held a ceremony in the House of Lords to bestow their latest awards. Each of the awards are a celebration by recognition of the remarkable personal achievements and contribution of individuals to the many sectors within the food and farming industry, as well as within society.
The ceremony was hosted by Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE FRAgS and in the presence of DEFRA farming minister Mark Spencer MP FRAgS.
Award recipients are commended for being head and shoulders above their peers in their contribution to the betterment of the food and farming sector in a wide range of ways through their leadership: by supporting charities, mentoring, adopting sustainable farming techniques, innovation in furthering research, advancing technology or holding voluntary roles which underpin the sector.
Fellowship and exchange of ideas are encouraged through programmes of events which are organised by the England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Panels of CARAS.
Speaking after the Ceremony, Andrew Blenkiron FRAgS, Chairman to the English Panel said: “28 individuals from across England have received a prestigious award today, all of whom are ambassadors for our industry representing organisations such as The Farming Community Network, Linking Environment and Farming, The National Farmers Union and the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.
“We are delighted to be able to hold such a fitting ceremony to highlight individual personal achievement in such a historical British setting.”
The event was kindly sponsored by Juno (Plant Protection) Ltd, whose director Nick Tapp added: “We are delighted to be able to support the event once again with such an extraordinary group of inspiring business leaders who have achieved and given so much to the farming industry.
“As leading suppliers of naturally occurring pesticides to the British potato industry, it is an important opportunity to be able to network and celebrate with the very best talent from across the sector.”
Host Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE FRAgS said: ‘It is an absolute pleasure and honour to host this special occasion.
“What incredible people we have in our industry who work so hard; it is wonderful to celebrate and give thanks to them today.”
Professor Lee received his Associate Award (ARAgS) for his work in supporting Sustainable Agriculture through research and education.
His nomination was supported by Harper Adams Governor Debbie Winstanley – who was herself awarded a Fellowship at the 2022 Ceremony – and Mary Quicke MBE.
The objective of the UK wide CARAS organisation is to recognise, through an Awards scheme, distinguished achievement in agriculture and related land-based industries. The Awards embrace not only practical farming and the development of new husbandry practices, but also research, technology, economics, education, farming care, communication and administration.
A Fellowship (FRAgS) or Associateship (ARAgS) is a recognition of outstanding contribution by an individual to the understanding, efficiency and well-being of agriculture.
To date more than 1,200 individuals have been so recognised and there are currently more than 800 Fellows and more than 350 Associates.
Speaking after receiving his award, Professor Lee said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be acknowledged in this way by such a prestigious organisation.
“However, it is of course not just my award, science is not done in isolation, but with fantastic collaboration across the institutes I have worked for and with. I was particularly delighted that the work carried out of the Global Farm Platform on developing global solutions for sustainable ruminant livestock systems and the School of Sustainable Food and Farming on supporting UK farmers to make the just transition were specifically noted in my award recital.”