Former Dorset High Sheriff awarded MBE for food industry achievements
He's been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
The achievements of two people from Dorset are being recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
George Streatfeild is an award-winning farmer, although you'll also know him as last year's high sheriff. He says the past 30 years have been incredibly exciting to be part of the food industry.
He became a junior partner of Denhay Farms Ltd in 1978 developing 'Air Dried Ham' and 'Air Dried Bacon' products, before becoming CEO of the company in 2000.
Under his leadership, Denhay Farms have received numerous industry accolades, including more than 25 Great Taste Awards, the Royal Agricultural Society of England Award for Excellence, and a royal appointment as Bacon Curer to HRH the Prince of Wales.
In 1991, he was part of a team that founded the Taste of the West, which has since become the UK's largest independent regional food group, to promote local food and drink from the West Country.
In 2001, he became Chair of the Food Hall at the highly prestigious Royal Bath and West Show, and has continued to carry out that role each year since. This event provides a showcase for the best of the food and agricultural industry of the region, and promotes local businesses.
In 2016, he founded Discover Farming, an education initiative as part of Melplash Agricultural Society. The aim of this program is to educate children and their parents about the linkages between food, farming, the environment and the local economy and to promote careers in the food and agricultural industry.
He created a 30 person classroom at one of the Society's member farms, to facilitate day visits from local primary schools and brings Discover Farming to school career events.
Since 2014 he has served as Chair of Governors at Symondsbury Church of England School, in which position he has worked to raise standards across the spectrum of primary education.
George said:
"To be honest I feel surprised and delighted, because it's quite something to receive an honour.
"The bit that I was reflecting on is, it's been amazing to be part of a revolution in the last 25 years that has seen a change in people eating to fuel themselves, to people eating because they're enjoying food and they're appreciating where the food comes from, and how it's made, and who the producer is.
"I was part of a large number of people that have been involved in that. So I'm really honoured and humbled to be appreciated for my small part in the food industry."