A 14-year-old is in line to be Herefordshire’s Young Farmer of the year after ‘stepping up’ during the coronavirus crisis.

Charlie Bemand stepped into his father’s and grandfather’s shoes when a manning crisis hit Drum Farm at Stoke Prior near Leominster.

With one of the workmen in the vulnerable category with Diabetes Charlie ‘stepped up to the plate.’

He has spent hours in the filed rolling the ground, topping and mowing the orchards.

He has been doing stock rounds daily with his grandfather and bikes every day to the farm to check on his pedigree Texel sheep.

He has also helped deliver bags of potatoes and fresh eggs to neighbours during the coronavirus crisis.

All of that while still keeping up with his homework from school.

Charlie’s father is Stuart, one of the owners of the Bemand family farm, while his grandfather is recently retired stockman Roger Bowen.

Roger spent 54 years in the industry, proudly telling people he began at the age 15.

Now Charlie has taken his first major steps a year younger.

Charlie has been nominated for the Young Farmer title in the Three Counties Farmer Awards which take place in November. They highlight best practice and outstanding work in the industry locally.

If you know anyone who deserves recognition for their outstanding work, especially during the pandemic, then its quick and easy to nominate someone.

Go to www.herefordtimes.com/awards/tcf/ and fill out the online form.

Categories are: Sheep Farmer; Farm Conservation; Cattle Farmer; Family Run Farm; Pig Farmer; Young Farmer (under 26); Arable Farmer; Farming Contractor; Fruit/hop farmer.

The awards ceremony will be in digital format this year– because of coronavirus.