TWO men from North Yorkshire were named in the New Year Honours List for their services to farming and country life.

Dr Dyno Keatinge, from the Yorkshire Dales, was honoured in recognition of his contribution to agriculture oversees.

In 2016, Dr Keatinge, from the tiny hamlet of Garriston, near Leyburn, retired after eight years, as director general of the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC). He was made an MBE in the honours list.

The news came through while he was on holiday in Australia. He was recommended for the award by the Foreign Office for his work with the world’s foremost research and development institution for the improvement of vegetables.

The citation reads "for services to tropical agriculture and the reduction of both poverty and malnutrition in the developing world."

This follows an award given in 2016 by the Republic of China when he was invested in the Order of Brilliant Star with Violet Grand Cordon.

Under Dr Keatinge’s management, AVRDC’s notable achievements have included protecting tomatoes in the tropics from their most devastating virus disease; distributing several million seed packs to disadvantaged farm families worldwide; and improving productivity and reducing pest damage in crops.

Dr Keatinge has lived in Wensleydale for more than 20 years with his wife Rosi who is well known in musical and cultural circles. Since retiring he has become an honorary life fellow of the International Society of Horticultural Science and chairman of the Tropical Agricultural Development Advisory Services.

Commenting on his award, he said: "This came as a complete surprise; I have accepted it on behalf of the team who have worked very hard to alleviate poverty and disease. I am looking forward to my visit to the Palace immensely."

Meanwhile, David Cussons, doyen of Ryedale Show for many years, and a leading Ryedale councillor, was made an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

For more than 20 years he has been director of the show – now recognised as one of the top one-day agricultural shows in the country – after serving as president in the past. This year Ryedale Show celebrated its 150th anniversary and it was visited at its ground at Welburn Park, near Kirkbymoorside, by the Duchess of Kent, who during her visit met Cllr Cussons.

His links with Ryedale Show go back more than 70 years when, as a boy, he herded cattle over a mile to the showground from the family farm at South Ings.

"The show then only covered about two fields. Today it has more than 100 acres," said Cllr Cussons, whose family have been farming in the Kirkbymoorside area for many years. His father was also a holder of the MBE, awarded for his wartime work with the agricultural industry, the National Farmers' Union and the Yorkshire and Northern Woolgrowers at Malton.

In his public life, Cllr Cussons has served as a member of Ryedale District Council for some 25 years, and is a former chairman of the authority. He is chairman of the Ryedale Drainage Board and of the Malton and Norton Flood Forum as well as being an active member of the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association.