A dairy farmer from Somerset and a dairy farmer from Northern Ireland have made it onto the 2024 New Year Honours List.
Adam Watson, a dairy farmer from Coleraine, Co. Derry, and dairy farmer and Glastonbury Festival founder, Michael Eavis, were awarded for their “selfless service” to others.
Watson was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to mental health in the farming community in Northern Ireland and Eavis was awarded a knighthood for his contributions to music and charity.
Eavis is also a finalist in the 2023 NMR/RABDF Gold Cup Award, the winner of which will be announced at next month’s Dairy-Tech on February 7.
RABDF managing director, Matthew Knight, said he’s delighted to see recognition for individuals going above and beyond in the dairy industry.
“Sir Michael is a familiar face in the dairy industry, not only as the Glastonbury Festival organiser but as a farmer investing and driving forward one of the most advanced dairy systems,” he said.
“Sir Michael won the NMR RABDF Gold Cup 10 years ago and is shortlisted for the 2023 award.
“The farm has changed considerably over the past decade thanks to the adoption of technology, being clear innovators in the sector, and continuously challenging what is ‘normal’ in dairy farming.”
Knight said it is excellent that Watson is being honoured for raising awareness of the mental health struggles in farming.
Watson helped raise awareness of the difficulties faced by Northern Ireland’s farmers when he wrote a blog about his own battle with depression.
In 2019, he also spoke openly at several events about his struggles to help raise awareness of mental health in farming.
Knight said mental health in farming is an “ever-growing issue” with the financial and legislative challenges of farming and the isolated working environment.
“We are passionate about raising awareness of it, and we thank Adam for his hard work in sharing his story and going above and beyond to help others,” he said.
