Wildlife-loving farmer Nicholas Watts of Vine House Farm named Agriculture and Environment Champion 2025 in Fenland Citizen Business Awards

A farmer who has dedicated more than 60 years to helping wildlife on his Fenland farm was named Agriculture and Environment Champion at the Fenland Citizen Business Awards 2025.

Tony Cheetham of category sponsor Fraser Dawbarns announced the winner as Vine House Farm, Deeping St Nicholas, at the award ceremony held at the Braza Club in March on Friday evening.

More than 200 guests heard Tony describe the work Nicholas Watts has done to ensure his farm is environmentally friendly and supportive of the wildlife that calls it home alongside the 15 types of crops grown.

Nicholas, who was named farmer of the year in 2024 for England and Wales, collected the accolade for his farm.

He beat fellow finalists NFU Mutual of March and Tamar Nurseries in Wisbech to win the prize, which recognises the excellent work a business puts in to safeguard the environment including the fertile Fenland soil, while also proving a successful enterprise.

Nicholas said the award was recognition that the work he and his team were doing on the farm was right.

“I have proved that you can help wildlife and still have a productive farm. Farming and wildlife are my two passions, and I have combined the two to make a successful farm,” said Nicholas.

Alongside the 15 different crops grown on the farm Nicholas also plants lots of flowers to attract the insects for the birds.

He has farmed at Vine House since the 1960s and still loves it.

“It is a real honour to have won,” he said.