Livestock farmer and creator of the Plumgarth’s brand, John Geldard, has been crowned the 2007 Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year.

Mr Geldard, who farms at Low Foulshaw near Kendal, Cumbria, received a standing ovation from the 950 guests at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

In 2001 Mr Geldard set up the Plumgarths hub to market his own beef, sheep and free-range eggs along with that of other local producers. He and his Cumbrian farmer neighbours are capturing and sharing added value by pooling their products and supplying local customers and retailers direct.

Sheila Dillon, BBC Radio 4's Food Programme presenter said: “John is an inspiration. He is putting farmers back into the driving seat of the food system, showing how they can deal with supermarkets as equals.”

The Plumgarth group now supply more than local 100 hotels and restaurants, 18 Asda stores and Penrith Center Parc with high quality locally reared, and branded, beef and sheep.

Mr Geldard was the winner of the Local Food Farmer of the Year sponsored by Farmshop.uk.com, and along with 11 other category winners of the Farmers Weekly Awards 2007, went through to compete for the coveted title of Farmer of the Year.

His vision and leadership has had such a powerful impact on his own business, and that of so many others, that he was clear the winner.

Farmers Weekly Awards 2007 - category winners

David Sunnucks - Arable Farmer of the Year sponsored by GrowHow UK
Patrick Stephenson - Arable Adviser of the Year sponsored by Crops
Beckhithe Farms - Beef Farmer of the Year sponsored by McDonalds
Mike Simpson - Contractor of the Year sponsored by Kleber
Robert and Sarah Helliwell - Countryside Farmer of the Year sponsored by Environment Agency
Geoff Spence - Dairy Farmer of the Year sponsored by Cepravin
George Perrott - Farm Manager of the Year sponsored by Claas
Keith Cutler - Livestock Adviser of the Year sponsored by Silotite
John Geldard - Local Food Farmer of the Year sponsored by Farmshop.uk.com
Paul Kelly - Poultry Farmer of the Year sponsored by EB Equipment
Peter Baber - Sheep Farmer of the Year sponsored by Farm Health Planning
Philip Halhead - Young Farmer of the Year sponsored by Massey Ferguson
Jilly Greed - Farming Champion sponsored by the NFU