51AVÊÓÆµ

Sustainable Food Trust policy director and Cotswold's farmer Richard Young dies

Patrick Holden, chief executive of Sustainable Food Trust, said Richard Young died on Saturday morning (September 16)

Chris Brayford
clock • 2 min read
Richard Young was best known for playing a 'pivotal role' in the organic and sustainable farming movement (Sustainable Food Trust)
Image:

Richard Young was best known for playing a 'pivotal role' in the organic and sustainable farming movement (Sustainable Food Trust)

A farmer who played a ‘pivotal role' in the emergence of the organic and sustainable farm movement has passed away.

Richard Young, policy director for the Sustainable Food Trust, died on Saturday morning (September 16) at his home near Broadway in the Cotswolds.

Born in 1950, Mr Young was also an organic farmer on Kite's Nest Farm, a 390-acre farm, which he operated alongside his sister Rosamund.

Patrick Holden, chief executive of Sustainable Food Trust and friend to Mr Young for more than 40 years, said he was in a state of ‘slight disbelief' to learn of his passing after a telephone conversation with him the day before as he paid tribute to him.

"It would be impossible to overstate the contribution that Richard made, not only to these organisations but to the understanding of the relationship between farming practices, food quality and health, both in terms of the science and the general public," Mr Holden added.

"On a personal note, was one of the kindest and most open human beings one could ever meet.

Mr Young had worked to advance organic and sustainable farming (Sustainable Food Trust)

"Towards the end of his life, he was happy in his skin and always generous and interested in everything that happened to the people he encountered.

"I know I am speaking for probably hundreds of people in stating that I count myself lucky indeed to have known him, to have counted him as a friend and who have had the enormous privilege of working with him as part of the wider organic and sustainable food and agriculture movement of which we were both a part."

See also:ÌýBBC's One Man and His Dog presenter Robin PageÌýdiesÌýfrom prostate cancer

Mr Holden said his friend had even left an ‘enduring influence' on the King, then Prince of Wales, who visited Kite's Nest 51AVÊÓÆµin 1989 after the conversion of the Highgrove Estate.

Gorsehill Abbey 51AVÊÓÆµthey were ‘deeply saddened' by Mr Young's death who had become a ‘valued friend and customer' and who had left behind a ‘great legacy' within the organic and sustainable farming movement.

See also:ÌýFormer TFA national chair Jeremy WalkerÌýdiesÌýafter incident on Somerset farm

More on 51AVÊÓÆµLife

Dan Jones: "The reality is that many evenings are spent at the kitchen table trying to navigate online systems"

Dan Jones: "The reality is that many evenings are spent at the kitchen table trying to navigate online systems"

In Your Field columnist Dan Jones on his hopes and reservations following the announcement of the Welsh Government's review of red tape in agriculture

Dan Jones
clock 22 June 2026 • 3 min read
James Wright: "They can decide for themselves whether they want to have a life of farming, or enjoy fond memories

James Wright: "They can decide for themselves whether they want to have a life of farming, or enjoy fond memories

In Your Field columnist James Wright on the effects of the hot weather, bTB testing and Natural England decisions, and the

clock 21 June 2026 • 3 min read
Red Tractor's new chief executive Paul McLaughlin says winning farmers' trust is a priority

Red Tractor's new chief executive Paul McLaughlin says winning farmers' trust is a priority

Former head of Scotland Food and Drink talks to Farmers Guardian about his goals for the assurance body

Jane Thynne
clock 20 June 2026 • 2 min read