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Monday, October 06, 2008, 12:00
Of the six available spots to be chosen from both East and West Sussex, half are within North Wealden.
The Sussex Farmer of the Year is based on votes from the public, and each will be visited by panel of judges to ensure they meet the criteria for the award.
These include close connections with the community, either through a farm shop or farmers' market, and also having innovative ways of reaching potential customers.
The three North Wealden nominees are Egypt Farm, Rushlake Green, Heathfield, Clayton Farm, Mayfield, and Bradfords Farm, Little Horsted.
Egypt Farm, run by David and Erica Turton, produces high quality lamb and pork.
Mr Turton, who is in charge of the pork production, has been winning awards for his sausages and cuts of meat for more than 15 years.
He said: "We have always striven for quality. The proof is in all the championships that we have won showing pigs.
"We now niche market the majority of our meat. We are honoured our customers have nominated us as they are most important, allowing us to go on farming sustainably."
At the South East Winter Fair, held in Ardingly, Egypt Farm has won awards nine times, while also picking up numerous awards at the Royal Smithfield Show.
It is the second year running that Cathy Swingland's business at Clayton Farm has been nominated for the prestigious title of farmer of the year.
Alongside her farm, Mrs Swingland runs a shop, Hen on the Gate, selling her own produce.
She said: "Here in Sussex we have every reason to be proud of our heritage and to continue to build on it, even in a difficult market.
"Nothing could be more important in uncertain times than food security and making the most of the resources on our doorstep."
As well as organising regular events on site to promote other local business and craftsmen, Mrs Swingland runs children's art workshops over summer, which incorporate learning about food production
"We have regular open days, school visits and kids workshops where visitors can really get to understand what goes into the food on their plate and be involved in our work," she said.
"When the kids don't want to go home I feel I'm really making progress. Hopefully, farming is starting to matter to them too."
Bradfords Farm in Little Horsted is a family-run business owned by Kathy and Mike Fordham.
Producing naturally reared Aberdeen Angus beef and pork, Bradfords Farm is part of the Farming and Countryside Education initiative. This aims to help people learn about food and farming in a sustainable countryside.
Mrs Fordham said: "We are keen to keep people in touch with where their food comes from and encourage people to visit the farm to see how their food is produced from field to plate. We also help educate school children through pre-arranged school trips and have recently welcomed secondary school food technology students to the farm to learn about the whole process of meat production, including their own hands-on experience of mincing beef."
The farm is also in partnership with a number of other local food producers, who do not have processing facilities. Mrs Fordham added: "In our butcher's shop we can tell you which farm produced your meat or eggs and how it was reared. All our meat is slaughtered in our local abattoirs and butchered in our shop.
"As well as our local customers, our fresh, local and naturally produced meat has attracted local pubs and restaurants."
The deadline for casting a vote is October 17. Anyone interested in supporting their favourite farmer can visit www.sussexfoodawards. com or call 01273 207155 to request a nomination form.
INITIATIVE: Mike and Kathy Fordham, of Bradfords Farm, produce naturally reared Aberdeen Angus beef and pork
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