Chairman of the British Carrot Growers’ Association, Martin Evans, is leaving the post after seven years.
The FreshGro managing director is handing over the reins to Rodger Hobson from Hobson Farming in Yorkshire.
As chairman, Hobson will be meeting with some of the UK’s largest carrot producers over the next few months to form a comprehensive picture of the direction that BCGA members would like to see the industry moving in.
Hobson, who has been farming carrots for over 20 years on Naburn Hill Farm where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather farmed before him.
He said: “It is an honour to be asked to be Chairman and a role which I intend to take on with gusto. I have been involved in the carrot industry for a very long time and it is in my blood, so I look forward to making positive steps to try to improve the market for myself and my peers.”
“At the moment, the drought is obviously a huge concern for the UK carrot industry, particularly eastern England. Fortunately the country’s carrot growers’ are all planning ahead and managing their irrigation regimes according to the national protocols, thereby maximising water efficiency.”
Hobson studied engineering at Oxford University and after working in management consultancy in London for some years he moved home to the family farm near York to help his father. The move was not intended to be permanent but he enjoyed the change so much that it became so. Hobson Farming mainly grows Nairobi carrots and produces over 26,000 tonnes from 800 acres. The company also enjoys a dynamic arable farming enterprise with crops including wheat, barley, rape, turf, potatoes and red beet.
Retiring Chairman Martin Evans was thanked by all BCGA members for his considerable contribution and the time and effort he has put into the role.
Hobson is keen to get involved with the PR campaign, run by award winning agency Mustard Communications, which this year will take a tongue in cheek foray into the world of social media using a fun creative to get people interested in making the most of the humble carrot - The Carrot Whistle Olympics.
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