Tributes paid to Norfolk farming great David Richardson

David Richardson, the highly respected Norfolk farmer, journalist, broadcaster and former Farmers Weekly columnist, has died at the age of 88.

Best known for his straight-talking analysis, deep insight and tireless advocacy for British agriculture, David was a leading voice in the farming world for more than 60 years.

A prolific writer and communicator, his legacy spans the fields of farming, media, education and agri-policy, both in the UK and abroad.

See also: Farmers Weekly Awards 2015: Lifetime Achievement Award

He began writing his Farmers Weekly column in the early 1990s – a role he maintained for more than 30 years, becoming one of the longest-serving contributors in the publication’s history.

Known for his clarity, common sense and fearless opinions, his writing earned a loyal following among farmers and policymakers alike.

David’s career in media began unexpectedly. He left school at 16 with few qualifications but knowledge and confidence came with his membership of Young Farmers where his talent for public speaking was spotted in 1960 by Dick Joice, another well-known Norfolk farmer, who then anchored programmes on Anglia TV. Initially, was recruited to take part in a series on rural affairs.

It marked the beginning of a broadcasting career that included presenting roles on BBC’s TV Farming Programme and BBC Radio’s On Your Farm, as well as Farming Diary and Country People for Anglia TV.

His work later expanded to the Financial Times, Big Farm Weekly and many other national and international publications.

Passionate farmer

Despite his media commitments, David remained a hands-on farmer throughout his life.

From modest beginnings breeding pigs as a teenager, he went on to develop a thriving 400ha arable business at Wymondham, near Norwich, which he ran in partnership initially with his father, and then with his brother Philip and latterly with his son Rob.

His career reflected a deep passion for innovation, diversification and sustainable agriculture.

In 1991, he co-founded the charity Linking Environment and Farming (Leaf), promoting integrated farm management and encouraging a balance between food production and environmental care.

He chaired the organisation for a decade and remained a key influence long after.

Among his many leadership roles, David served as chairman of the Oxford Farming Conference, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and the Sentry Farming Conference.

He was a non-executive director of several farming and media companies, including Eastern Counties Newspapers (now Archant), and was instrumental in the success of the co-operative Loddon Farmers, which became Anglia Farmers (now AF).

And David was honoured to be a trustee of the Henry Plumb Foundation in order to give something back to the industry which had given him so much, by helping young people find their own opportunities to do the same.

David’s achievements were recognised with numerous accolades, including an OBE in 2000 for services to integrated farming.

In 2003, he received the Netherthorpe Award for outstanding contributions to agricultural communications, after being named Agricultural Communicator of the Year by the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists in 1989.

David was also honoured by the Institute of Agricultural Management for his contribution to the advancement of management in the farming industry.

In 2004, he received the Sir Timothy Colman Award by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association for his sustained contribution to promoting a wider understanding of farming and the countryside.

Lifetime achievement

In 2015, David was awarded the Farmers Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British agriculture, journalism, and his tireless efforts to inform, inspire and advocate for the farming community over more than five decades.

© Richardson family

David travelled widely throughout his life. In his later years, with AgriTravel (now Field Farm Tours) he led popular farm study tours to numerous countries around the world.

Warm tributes

Tributes have been paid for David, one of British agriculture’s most influential communicators and advocates.

Those who worked with him remember a man with an extraordinary memory, wit and genuine curiosity about the world.

Sir Peter Kendall, Bedfordshire farmer and former NFU president, described David as “Mr Farming” – a man whose practical love of farming brought his writing alive to us all.

“David was just enthralling,” said Sir Peter. “Part of that was the depth of knowledge he gained from travelling the world, and the way he challenged us all to think differently.

“He used to hold a mirror up to the industry in an engaging, not abrasive, way – encouraging us to reflect and ask difficult questions without feeling uncomfortable.”

In particular, Sir Peter recalled how in 2006, David’s campaigning on food security got Tony Blair’s Labour government interested in this vital issue.

“That push in 2006 was in no small part down to David asking difficult questions about what farmers were going to do going forward,” he added.

“David started a massive debate in the NFU and within the industry about farmers needing to be competitive and productive.”

See also: Opinion: It’s time again to become ‘dog and stick’ farmers

Paying tribute, Farmers Weekly columnist Matthew Naylor said: “Nowadays there are hundreds of farming celebrities and influencers but David Richardson was the OG.

“He was the TV presenter highlighting farming matters before most people even had a television. 

“I was deeply fond of him and Lorna and I feel for their family in their loss.

“We have lost one of British agriculture’s most experienced, knowledgeable and redoubtable champions.

“It was fitting that David died the night before the copy deadline for this magazine; he was a professional to his final breath.”

David Richardson, with Caroline Drummond and Ian Pigott © Matthew Naylor

Published author

David published two books in later life: In at the Deep End, a memoir of his early career, and Around the World in Many Ways, which chronicled his travels to farming communities across the globe.

His writing combined wit, wisdom and a strong sense of justice – always rooted in practical farming experience.

He was thinking about ideas for a third book when he passed away.

A passionate supporter of young farmers, David served as president of the Norfolk Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs and remained a trustee of the Henry Plumb Foundation, supporting the next generation in agriculture.

David Richardson leaves behind a lasting legacy in British farming. He will be remembered not only as a pioneering communicator, but as a farmer whose life’s work was dedicated to helping the industry evolve, thrive and be better understood.