Green farmer closes in on national award

Time short to vote for north-east blaze victim who now helps buntings

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A NORTH-EAST farmer who rebuilt his business after a £1million blaze was campaigning for votes yesterday.

John Moir, of Cairness Home Farm, near Fraserburgh, is flying the flag for Scotland in the finals of a national contest to find the UK’s most environmentally aware farmer.

The 36-year-old is one of only four contestants in the running for the annual Nature of Farming Award, which is organised by the RSPB charity. The contest honours farmers who manage their land sensitively for wildlife and the environment.

The public have until the end of August to log on to the RSPB’s website and cast their votes.

The contest marks something of a reversal of fortunes for Mr Moir, whose farm was hit by a suspicious blaze in August last year.

The fire extensively damaged a barn and wiped out farm machinery and nearly 500 bales of straw.

The building has now been restored.

Mr Moir, whose father, Willie, and uncle, Sandy, are also involved in the business, impressed judges with his efforts to help a threatened bird species, the corn bunting.

He has protected nests by delaying grass-cutting and also helped to trial seed mixtures to find the best habitat for the endangered birds.

The Moir family farms some 1,650 acres in the north-east and has herds of Aberdeen-Angus cross and Scotch Mule cross ewes, alongside spring and winter cereal crops.

Mr Moir said: “Going organic and being self-sufficient on the farm doesn't mean greater diversity for wildlife, it also makes business sense.”

To vote in this year’s awards, visit the website at www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote