MP picks out Cheshire farming family as winners of community heroes award

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury selected Graham Warburton and family for the National Farmers Union’s inaugural Community Farming Heroes scheme in his constituency.

The award recognises farmers who play an important role in their local communities.

Graham, wife Liz and son George live at Depmore Farm, Kingsley, while Graham’s brother Geoff, wife Gill and son Richard are based down the road at Hatley Farm, Frodsham.

The Warburtons run both farms as one business.

The certificate the Warburton farming family received.

Mr Amesbury, who presented the certificate in person, said: “I love the family’s passion and enthusiasm for their farming business along with how they engage with the community, including selling their potatoes and eggs from the gate!

“The farms also host school visits. Children are taught about the importance of food production and looking after the countryside.

“Farming practices are integrated closely with care of the natural environment. For example, their own barley provides feed and straw for the cattle, which subsequently provide manure for the crops.”

He added: “The Warburtons go above and beyond in everything they do and as such are worthy winners of the Community Farming Hero Award in my constituency.”

The Warburton family run a mixed-arable farm of approximately 1,200 acres growing wheat, barley, potatoes, oilseed rape, and beef cattle in the heart of Cheshire, involving six family members and covering three generations.

Graham Warburton, known as ‘Farmer Graham’ by locals, said: “The family are delighted to have won this award. It is more important than ever that farmers engage with the general public to explain how their food is safely produced to the highest standard.”

Regional winners and the overall national winner of the award were due to have been announced at a reception in London on September 14 but the event was postponed following the Queen’s death.