Richard Betton ARAgS
Born in 1954 into a clergy family and by way of Pembroke College, Oxford, I ended up as a tenant hill farmer in Teesdale, an environmentally protected area which I have farmed for 40 years. I have thought a great deal about the sustainability of the environment, particularly on peaty land like the uplands and the fens, and our ability to feed the world in the context of world trade conditions.
I have held roles from chair of school governors to Leader of a District Council as well as numerous positions representing farming interests at a local, regional and national level including North Pennine AONB, Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership and various government advisory committees. Currently I work as a Farm Liaison Officer for the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services, Northern Regional Director for FCN (a national farming charity) and Council member for the NFU. First and foremost I am a farmer. With the support of my wife Dodge we run a flock of hefted Swaledale sheep and a small herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus suckler cows.