New Trustee for FWAG

Sam Blacker, Yorkshire Farmer and Entrepreneur Joins FWAG Board of Trustees

Sam Blacker, retired farmer and founder proprietor of the highly successful Ainsty Farm Shop has today been elected to the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group's national board of Trustees.  Sam has been actively involved with FWAG for over fifteen years, initially as a committee member and then as Chairman of North Yorkshire FWAG for four years.

Sam farmed at Green Hammerton, near York for nearly 20 years where he finished beef cattle.  In 1990, Sam decided to enter the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and was one of the pioneers of the scheme in North Yorkshire.  Under his first agreement he established woodlands, planted hedges, restored a traditional orchard, and created ponds and wetland areas on meadows adjoining the River Nidd that flows through the farm.  

As Sam's enthusiasm for conservation work increased, he added in public access and educational options to his scheme.  This funded him to spread the message about farmland conservation to a wider audience.

Sam is delighted to be joining the FWAG Board of Trustees.  As a long term supporter of FWAG, Sam commented:

‘I am looking forward to having an active management role in the organisation that I think has achieved so much for farmland conservation over almost forty years.'

Sam added ‘I believe that the Yorkshire FWAG team has an unrivalled understanding of how farmers can take positive action for wildlife and the environment and yet sustain a viable farming business.  I hope to help them spread the message that conservation means business!'

Sam was born in North Yorkshire and became the top student on the Agriculture Course at Bishop Burton Agricultural College.  After marrying his wife Gill in 1977, he took over the family farm in 1984. 

Sam was the founder member of the Ainsty Farms Direct Co-operative in 1998 and went on to develop this concept with another member into the award-winning Ainsty Farm Shop.  Sam reluctantly sold the farm in 2001 and concentrated on developing the farm shop when it became apparent that his son and daughter had no wish to continue farming.

As well as being a very successful businessman, Sam is also chairman of Tockwith Agricultural Show and has judged the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's Conservation Farm of the Year Awards.  Sam has two children; Phil is a sports editor with Global Radio and daughter Claire is a senior planning officer with CBRE, both are based in London.