A WORCESTERSHIRE farmer has won the ultimate accolade for his contribution to organic farming.

Richard Young, of Kite's Nest Farm, near Evesham, was singled out from among hundreds of organic farmers throughout Britain and the Channel Islands for the Organic Trophy 2001.

Now in their 15th year, the Organic Food Awards, organised by the Soil Association, not only reward "the best" in organic produce but also raise public awareness of organic food.

Mr Young, who farms 150-head of organic cattle on his 390-acre farm, won the award not just for his farming but also for his work with the Soil Association, for whom he writes reports on the dangers of intensive farming and campaigns on the benefits of organic food.

Mr Young's herd, containing two bulls and 57 breeding cows, has been a closed herd since 1977, meaning no new cattle have been introduced into it since that time.

The cattle are fed on chemically-free grass, the calves are weaned naturally, and the animals are sent to the closest possible abattoir, in Bromsgrove, to reduce their stress and suffering.

"The cattle are entirely grass fed in the summer and in winter they are fed on hay or silage, all organically produced," said Mr Young. "Because we only believe in feeding grass and not high-protein concentrate we've never put our cattle at risk of BSE and can give an absolute guarantee that none of the cattle have had, or will get, BSE."

The pastures on which the cattle are fed are totally chemical-free and rich in herbs and "old-fashioned" grasses and clover, which are high in nutrients.

All the meat is returned to the farm in refrigerated vans and sold from the farm shop.

Mr Young, aged 51, has run Kite's Nest Farm with his mother, Mary Young and sister Rosamund Young, since 1980, after selling two family-owned farms in Gloucestershire when his father became ill.

Kite's Nest Farm was the first organic farm to receive an official visit from the Prince of Wales, who decided to turn his Highgrove home organic following the visit in 1989.

Producers from throughout Britain were recognised for the quality of their food and drink in the awards. Categories covered fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, poultry, sausages and prepared meats, dairy products, bread, cakes, confectionery, condiments and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.