John Boddy Award opens for applications

The John Boddy Award celebrates and rewards excellence in forestry design and practice in Yorkshire. It is organised and judged by the Royal Forestry Society, Forestry Commission and Yorkshire Agricultural Society, and presented during a reception at the Great Yorkshire Show.

This prestigious prize will be awarded to the Best Example of Agroforestry in Yorkshire. The winner will receive the John Boddy trophy and a £400 cash prize provided by Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Royal Forestry Society.

Am I eligible to apply?

This award is for established agroforestry systems that can demonstrate particularly high-quality delivery and achievements against stated agroforestry objectives. Delivery should be outstanding against at least one objective but will ideally reflect the ability of agroforestry to deliver multiple benefits to the environment.

The agroforestry system should showcase the ingenuity, collaboration, perseverance and ambition of the land managers. Examples of agroforestry objectives may include but would not be limited to – enhancing productivity, rebalancing the landscape, improving soil health, providing shelter for habitat, wildlife and livestock, enhancing biodiversity, flood prevention.

Entry requirements include:

• A minimum size of 0.5 ha.
• The agroforestry system must be fully established (normally >5 years old, though there will be some flexibility for younger systems that demonstrate strong establishment and management practices).
• The scheme to be situated in Yorkshire.
• The applicant must either be the landowner or have the landowner’s permission to enter (although if there is a good reason why this might not be possible, please contact us to discuss).

The award is open to any agroforestry schemes that meet the criteria above, including those run by local councils (county, district, parish etc), community groups, National Parks, Trusts/charities, individuals or corporate bodies.

What are the judges looking for?

When making their decision, the judges would like to see:

• Agroforestry systems that are actively managed to deliver a range of stated objectives, while ensuring sustainability and compliance with UKFS. Management should include stakeholder engagement, and a consideration of what impact the agroforestry system may have on relevant stakeholders.
• Applications that demonstrate sustainable management with balanced objectives that consider social, environmental, and economic benefits.
• Good practice in tree management, integration with agricultural activities and a positive impact on biodiversity, soil health and resilience to climate change.
• Evidence of good agroforestry practices, including integration of trees with crops and/or livestock in ways that enhance productivity and resilience.
• In all cases, they will expect agroforestry systems to follow best practice guidelines for sustainable land management and demonstrate an innovative approach to integrating trees within productive landscapes.

How do I apply?

Please refer to the information sheet and to apply, download the application form and return it to yne@forestrycommission.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday 9 May. You will also be asked to provide a digital image of a site plan and up to 6 digital photographs.

If you have any difficulties accessing or using the form please contact yne@forestrycommission.gov.uk

What happens next?

Judges will contact applicants of shortlisted sites and arrange to undertake site visits within the last week of May and the first week of June. The shortlisted owners/applicants will also be invited to a reception and prize-giving ceremony held at the Great Yorkshire Show on the afternoon of Wednesday 10 July, where the winner will be revealed.

The winner will receive a £400 cash prize and 12-month award of the prestigious John Boddy Rose Bowl.

The organisers will also ask the winner to participate in promotional activity, which will include a photograph and press release.