Honouring a lifetime dedicated to farming philosophy

Driffield farmer Derek Megginson said he was ‘honoured’ after receiving the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) and Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution’s lifetime achievement award.

Farming is in the 70-year-old’s blood. He trained as a chartered surveyor in his early twenties before taking over the helm of his family’s timber business when his father retired in 1975, which he subsequently relocated.

His philosophy, to manage the living soil so it can nurture and feed the crop, has made him a much-admired figure in the farming world.

Mr Megginson has served as chairman of Driffield Agricultural Society and is a former judge of the YAS’ prestigious Tye Trophy awards.

But he has also helped to open up the world of farming to younger generations. He regularly hosts open days and his farm played has host to more than 4,000 schoolchildren during his 15-year involvement with the Schools Visit Week project.

Outside of the industry, he has completed

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the YAS, said: “His achievements are enough to make the rest of us wonder what we’ve been doing with our lives.”

After being presented with his award by show director Bill Bowling, the keen cyclist and walker remained modest.

“It’s hard to feel anything other than very honoured, but who cannot be passionate about agriculture in Yorkshire?” said Mr Megginson.

He was among a handful of other show stalwarts who were honoured during yesterday’s ceremony in the President’s pavilion.

Mr Pulling paid tribute to the 400 stewards and volunteers who are the lifeblood of the annual event.

“The YAS does a wonderful job and we are lucky to have such a vibrant organisation in the region. That is down to the hard work of all of the other wonderful people who have received awards,” Mr Megginson added.