Kent top-fruit, soft-fruit and cherry grower Paul Mansfield is this year's Grower of the Year. Mansfield collected the accolade after his company FW Mansfield & Son, near Faversham, were earlier named Top-Fruit Grower of the Year.
Judges of the awards said they were impressed by "not only the sheer volume of produce grown every year but by Paul Mansfield's work ethic and ability to recognise what makes a horticultural business successful in today's climate. He has also led the industry for some time in varietal developments, most notably in 'import substitution' varieties".
FW Mansfield began life as a 20-acre smallholding in Kent in 1968. It now farms 2,200 acres of apples and pears, 450 acres of plums and cherries and 180 acres strawberries.
Judges said: "The company has never been afraid of investing either. In 2001 a new 1,200 tonne capacity coldstore was erected alongside a new packhouse extension which increased capacity by 25,000sqft. Next year 45,000 Jazz trees will be planted with further Taylor's Gold also planned to follow on from initial trial plantings of
1,000 trees. In total Mansfield is planning tree plantings totalling £1.25m. Another strawberry packhouse and general storage developments are also planned."
On receiving his award from main sponsor Syngenta, Mansfield said he was "honoured" and "privileged" to have been singled out from the rest of the industry.
The Grower of the Year was selected from 10 sector-specific individual awards, which were handed out as follows:
• Young Grower of the Year - David Trehane
• Organic Grower of the Year - Growing with Grace
• Vegetable Grower of the Year - Cobrey Farms
• Salad Grower of the Year - Hedon Salads
• Top-Fruit Grower of the Year - Paul Mansfield
• Soft-Fruit Grower of the Year - Adam Shorter
• Cut-Flower Grower of the Year - Nocton Ltd
• Bedding & Pot Plant Grower of the Year - Allensmore Nurseries
• Nursery Stock Grower of the Year - James Coles & Sons
• LEAF Marque Grower of the Year - PN Watts
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