Congratulations to Sally Bendall on being awarded the British Empire Medal for services to agriculture in the New Year’s Honours List.
Sally has established a successful programme of farm education and events at Hollow Trees Farm, providing apprenticeships, work experience and training workshops for young adults that has been running for over twenty years. In 2018 Hollow Trees hosted 75 school visits and delivered farm education to over 2,000 children. Over 200,000 people visit the farm every year.
An annual Food and Farming Student Day showcasing the agricultural industry to older students 14 – 16 years was set up and hosted by Hollow Trees and celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2018. Awards to Hollow Trees Farm include: NFU National Best Farm Shop, Best Farm Shop Suffolk Food Awards, Best Tea Room Suffolk Food Awards, Best Alternative Land Award, National Farm Retail Association Large Farm Shop and National Farm Retail Champion.
Sally had held the following posts:
Council Member: National Farmers Markets and Retail Association (FARMA) 1998 - 2006 Chairman: National Farmers Markets and Retail Association (FARMA) 2006 - 2010
Easton & Otley College: Governance Roles 2010 – 2017 (Governor and Chair of HR & Remuneration Committee – 2010. Chair of Shadow Board to oversee merger of two independent colleges and combining of two separate governing bodies, Easton College and Otley College – 2011. Chair of Corporation Easton and Otley College 2011 – 2017. In addition: Chair of HR & Remuneration committee. Chair of Search and Governance committee Member of Curriculum committee)
Board Member National Landbased College: 2014 – 2016. Served as industry member on board set up to develop this new initiative.
Current positions.
Governor: Chadacre Agricultural Trust.
Council Member: Suffolk Agricultural Association, Nominations Committee: Member STEM Ambassador: Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Ambassador: LEAF Linking Farming and Environment. Ambassador & Honorary Secretary: Chadacre Old Students Association.
Personal Achievements.
Farmers Weekly – Local Food Farmer of the Year 2015.
October 2018 University of East Anglia: Honorary Doctorate & Degree in Civil Law. (For services to Agriculture and Education)