News.

The prestigious Trelawny Plate, presented biennially by the Trelawny family, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Cornwall and its residents. This year’s recipient is our very own Edward Richardson, whose dedication has left an indelible mark on the region’s agricultural community.

Edward’s role extends far beyond typical advisory services. He has become a cornerstone of support for Cornwall’s farmers, offering crucial guidance that enhances both their professional success and personal well-being. His tireless efforts have touched the lives of numerous farming families across the county and beyond, fostering resilience and prosperity in the face of agricultural challenges. His selection for this esteemed award underscores the vital importance of agricultural support in maintaining the fabric of Cornish society and economy.

We are here today to celebrate the award of the most prestigious Trelawny Plate. An award that has its roots in Cornish history and goes to a recipient who has left their mark on Cornish life and culture.

This biennial award in 2024 goes to Edward Richardson, the farming advisor for Farm Cornwall. Now before I tell you about Edward, I must make those of you who were not aware of Farm Cornwall’s existence, fully cognisant of its great work.

Penwith Farming Forum, for that was what Farm Cornwall was called at its outset, was started in 2001 after a group of people involved in agriculture recognised that with the increasing pressure on farming, both locally and nationally, that an advisory service, free at source, was definitely needed. In those days the service was restricted to Penwith with farming and its associated issues being the core of what was on offer.

As time went on its role began to change. Training in all its various forms, field trips throughout the UK and beyond were all offered and regularly taken up, expanding horizons and promoting new ideas. All this was done under the auspices of John Forster the forum’s first advisor.

When Edward Richardson was appointed in 2009, it was becoming obvious that the manifold social issues that began to affect society at this time, were also creating similar problems within the farming community. Edward arrived at a time of increasing change in rural society. The family farm, once the backbone of agriculture nationally, was coming under increased pressure both financially and socially. Edward’s background and experience made him the obvious choice to meet the profound and complex challenges ahead.

Edward attended primary school in Staffordshire and then went onto grammar school in Shropshire. His teenage years were spend working on local farms and at 19 he went to Walford Agricultural College to do an ONB in agriculture.

He always says that it was here that he learnt an immense amount about the detail of agriculture.

From there he moved to the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester where he worked on the college farm. This then led to his first management job on an arable farm in Berkshire – 750 acres of crops, a place where he certainly learnt to cope with pressure.

His next appointment was at Durham College of Agriculture and Horticulture. By now he was married with two sons, Oliver and Thomas. He was to remain here for the next 14 years. It was during his time here that he saw BSE first hand in 1996 and then felt the double whammy of foot & mouth arriving in the area in 2001, losing his contract – reared dairy heifers, to that dreadful disease.

Coping with issues like these were to stand Edward in good stead when helping others in his future advisory role. Having successfully completed his MBA, he felt it was time for a change. He set up an organic box scheme with a friend. It ran for five years and during that time they built it up to 300 boxes a week from 20 acres of vegetables. It was eventually sold to Riverford Organics as his business partner wished to move on.

Following a brief spell as farm manager for Norbrook Laboratories, Edward began to look for an advisory role, something that had always interested him. He answered an advert in the Farmers Weekly for a farm advisor and rural outreach worker. This was of course in Cornwall.

When Edward joined Farm Cornwall as Penwith Farming Forum had just become, he began to take this small farming organisation from its local roots to one that became nationally recognised at Government level. Edward was to steer Farm Cornwall throughout the next 14 years to the present day.

During this time Edward managed the advancement of Farm Cornwall into a county wide service. He established links with Farm Crisis Network, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the Addington Fund and Farm Fit.

Funding has always been an issue and Edward has been at the forefront of establishing permanent partnerships with the Royal Countryside Fund and the Duchy of Cornwall, who along with many others, have played a pivotal role in Farm Cornwall’s ongoing success.

Now all this experience, all this management, are of course vital, but it is the qualities of the man that are the most important part of the equation. Some of the problems that Edward faces on a day to day basis are complex. They require a relationship to be built up, confidence to be gained, and trust to be earned. Edward has the rare ability to assess each individual situation and in the majority of cases to find an appropriate solution.

This requires a methodical approach, a high degree of empathy and a down to earth practicality. Edward has a kind heart and cares deeply about his clients and their welfare which is evident in the extraordinary number of hours he works.

With over 600 farms currently on his books, we can only imagine the number of people whose lives he has touched. The number who faced what seemed insoluble problems, suddenly find that following the visits from Edward, there are always ways forward and there is a future for them and their family.

On your behalf I would like to thank Edward for all that he has done over the years to guide and help our farmers and our industry. We have all benefited from his intuition and energy and long may it continue.