Awards Season at Thanet Earth
Thanet Earth Have won the Emsden Trophy and the Fresh Awards' Retail Supplier of the year
We have been presented with a top conservation award for our work keeping nature and the values of environmental and human health at our core.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents hundreds of farmers, landowners and rural businesses across the county, awarded its Emsden Trophy on Thursday, 10 July.
The awards presentation and drinks reception was hosted by last year’s winner, livestock farmer Neil Anderson based near Sittingbourne. Sally Channon, Senior Technologist for Innovation and Adam Harrison, Environmental and Sustainability Technologist, were there to receive the trophy.
We were nominated for the award by Kent Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG).
The event, which is supported by BTF Partnership, is held in memory of Brigadier Brian Emsden, the Kent and Sussex CLA Regional Secretary in the 1980s who died of cancer in post. He was very keen on wildlife and conservation, hence the award in his name.
Sally said:
“We are truly honoured to have been nominated for the CLA Emsden Trophy. This recognition means a great deal to Thanet Earth, as it reflects the hard work and commitment we have invested in sustainable practices across our site.
Approximately 10% of our land is dedicated to landscape and wildlife. We have taken deliberate steps to enhance local biodiversity by restoring areas of native calcareous grassland, which now support many indicator plant species and, in turn, have encouraged a wide range of butterflies and invertebrates. In addition, we have planted native hedgerows to create sheltered corridors that support the movement and habitat needs of birds and other wildlife. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these efforts acknowledged, and it inspires us to continue championing responsible environmental stewardship.”
https://www.cla.org.uk/south-east-news/pioneering-vegetable-grower-wins-top-award-on-cla-farm-visit/
In June we were awarded ‘Retail Supplier of the Year 2025’ at the Festival of Fresh Awards, celebrating the best of fresh produce in Britain. Festival of Fresh annual awards, as selected by Fresh Produce Journal’s editorial team, celebrate outstanding achievement in the sector.
The award, accepted by Martin Rattigan, was given ‘on the back of a raft of recent investment that has included the £20mn construction of a seventh glasshouse in Kent, a move into leafy salad production in Chichester, and the opening of a new education centre at Hadlow College. The business has also increased turnover to almost £150mn in the past year and remains profitable at a testing time for the UK greenhouse sector.’
Martin said; “This award recognises the continued commitment from our shareholders, our incredible people, including our onsite growers – who are the best in the uk, our fantastic strategic partners and of course our customers.”
We are hugely honoured to receive this award and grateful for all the hard work of our colleagues from across the business who have helped us to get to where we are today.
