Tributes have been pouring in for Caroline Drummond MBE, the Chief Executive of Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) who has sadly passed away following a short illness.
Caroline ran LEAF since it started over 30 years and won many awards for her huge contribution to the sustainable land based sector. Her work focused on encouraging more sustainable farming practices, through the adoption of Integrated Farm Management (IFM) and building a better public trust and understanding of farming, food, health and the environment – values that she was extremely passionate about.
She was actively involved in many industry partnerships and initiatives in the UK and Europe and key to the founding of the Open Farms Sunday Initiative. Caroline was a director of the Agri-tech centre on Crop Health And Protection, the Institute of Agriculture Management, on the advisory board of the agricultural project for the Science Museum, a founding member of the European Initiative for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and was awarded an MBE in 2009 for services to the UK farming industry.
LEAF chairman Philip Wynn said:
“Caroline was an inspiration, and it is her passion, determination, foresight and energy that has transformed LEAF from its small beginnings 30 years ago to the globally recognised and respected organisation it is today.
“There really are no words to express how much Caroline will be missed within LEAF and the farming industry; but most deeply by her family, to whom we extend our greatest sympathy.”
Political figures, as well as leaders from across the agricultural, environmental and energy sectors have all paid their respects to the inspirational leader.
NFU President Minette Batters said:
“Her sense of purpose and commitment was renowned, and for which she will be greatly missed.
“Caroline was first and foremost passionate about environmentally-friendly farming. She recognised how food production worked hand-in-hand with the environment and was a fantastic advocate for integrated farm management.
“She wanted to share this vision with the wider public, and hundreds of thousands of people have visited farms over many years through the Open Farm Sunday initiative.”
Victoria Prentis, Minister of State at Defra, said
“Very sad to hear of LEAF CEO Caroline Drummond’s death. Caroline did so much to promote regenerative farming. My thoughts are with her friends and family.”
Having worked with Caroline in connection with both Energy Now and the Low Carbon Agriculture Show, David Jacobmeyer, EN Publisher and show Director, said:
“We at Energy Now and the Low Carbon Agriculture Show are shocked and extremely saddened by Caroline’s passing and offer heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
“Very few individuals have contributed as much as Caroline to the development of a sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming sector – the world has truly lost a shining light.
“Caroline and her husband were kind enough to invite my family & I onto her farm last year, where her kindness and intelligence shone through. The image & joy of her playing snap with my children will stay with me always! I will miss our conversations and seeing her at our show each year.”
