British Farming Awards 2020 winners announced
The 2020 winners of the British Farming Awards have been revealed at a digital award’s ceremony, supported by Morrisons.
The event, which was broadcast online and hosted by Vernon Kay, showcased the innovation and achievements of British farmers across the agricultural industry.
Organised by AgriBriefing, parent company of Farmers Guardian, Dairy Farmer and Arable Farming, the 16 awards welcomed entries from across farming’s core sectors including beef, arable, machinery, dairy, agricultural students and family-run businesses.
The awards also continued to shine a spotlight on the emerging new agri-technologies coming into the industry along with talented new entrants and a hugely diverse array of diversification enterprises.
Sophie Throup, Morrisons Head of Agriculture, Fisheries and Sustainable Sourcing, said: “Morrisons is pleased to once again sponsor the British Farming Awards and help celebrate some of the great work British farmers do.
“This year more than ever as we have faced huge challenges feeding the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic, British farmers have one again come to the fore.
“Thank you to every farmer who continues to help keep food flowing, growing and rearing fantastic British products for our customers and their families.”
Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture
Kicking off the evening was the announcement of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture Award, which was awarded to Jamie Feilden, Founder of Jamie’s Farm.
Growing up on a smallholding, Jamie began his career as a teacher but now runs five farms across the country working with schools and other organisations to offer residential stays to vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.
So far 7,500 children and teenagers have benefited from the scheme with astonishing results as 60% of those who enjoy a stay are no longer at risk of exclusion from school after six months.
Farmers Guardian’s Farming Hero
The winner of this year’s Farmers Guardian’s Farming Hero award is Sam Stables who, not only took on an entire flock of sheep from Yorkshire to his Herefordshire farm and lambed them for a friend stricken by the coronavirus, but has also launched a charity to help with mental health issues among the farming community.
Mr Stables, a tenant farmer on the Duchy of Cornwall estate , recently received a personal commendation of support from HRH Prince of Wales along with a donation to fund further charitable work from We Are Farming Minds.
Ben Briggs, Farmers Guardian editor, said: “It was great to celebrate the very best of British agriculture and reward those who have helped keep the nation fed in this incredible year.
“While we couldn’t meet in person and toast the success of the winners and nominees, it was still vital that we proudly showcased the achievements of British farmers and raised a glass to their innovation and drive.”
For more information about the awards evening visit www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk/awards-night
2020 British Farming Award’s winners:
Agricultural Student Sponsored by Kubota
Gold winner: Megan Edwards, Harper Adams University
Silver Winner: Hannah McGrath, Rothamsted Research and University of Reading
Arable Innovator of the Year Sponsored by Arable Farming
Gold Winner: Richard Anthony, R.L. Anthony & Sons, Glamorgan
Silver Winner: Edward Burman, Hemp Whole Foods, Warwickshire
Beef Innovator of the Year Sponsored by ABP Food Group
Gold Winner: Andrew Hodgson, A. & C. Hodgson, Isle of Wight
Silver Winner: Mark Crapper, G. & H. Crapper, Yorkshire
Contractor Innovator of the Year Sponsored Kuhn
Gold Winner: Steven Rolfe, Stevie Rolfe Cattle Services, Lanarkshire
Silver Winner: Rob Burtonshaw, Farm Services, Warwickshire
Dairy Innovator of the Year sponsored by Arla
Gold Winner: Tom Rawson and Charlie Crotty, Evolution Farming, Yorkshire
Silver Winner: Anthony Oakes, W.A. & C.G. Oakes, Cheshire
Digital Innovator of the Year sponsored by Fulwood Packo
Gold Winner: Chris Franklin, Caenhill Countryside Centre, Wiltshire
Silver Winner: David Hill, The Greatest Online Agricultural Show, Berkshire
Diversification Innovator of the Year – Small to Medium sponsored by NFU Mutual
Gold Winner: Andrew and Jenny Jones, Rackery Retreat, Wales
Silver Winner: David and Felicity Brown, Hoe Grange Holidays, Derbyshire
Diversification Innovator of the Year – Large sponsored by NFU Mutual
Gold Winner: Ben Hollins, Fordhall Farm Event Caterers, Shropshire
Silver Winner: Patrick Deeley, Flower Farm, Surrey
Family Farming Business of the Year Sponsored by Morrisons
Gold Winner: The Hodgson family, I.M. Hodgson & Son. Yorkshire
Silver Winner: The Nicholson family, Cannon Hall Farm, Yorkshire
Farm Worker of the Year sponsored by ABN
Gold Winner: Murray Craig, Blair Farming, Cumbria
Silver Winner: Shaun McKay, J.R. & M.C. Downes & Son, Shropshire
Machinery Innovator of the Year sponsored by McHale
Gold Winner: Chris Ecob, C.G Ecob, Oxfordshire
Silver Winner: Gordon Stephen, Wagglehill Croft, Aberdeenshire
Agri – Tech Innovator of the Year sponsored by Clydesdale Bank & Yorkshire Bank
Gold Winner: Mark Scivington, Smart Farmer, Aberdeenshire
Silver Winner: David Farqhuar, Intelligent Growth Solutions, Perthshire
New Entrant Awards: Against the odds sponsored by KW
Gold Winner: Martyn & Claire Eastham, Eastham & Chippendale, Dorset
Silver Winner: Ross & Kirsty Williams, R. & K. Williams, Aberdeenshire
Sheep Innovator of the Year sponsored by Dunbia
Gold Winner: John Howie, Messrs John Howie, Ayrshire
Silver Winner: John Minery, Operation Bo Peep! Yorkshire
Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture Sponsored by NSF Agriculture
Jamie Feilden, Jamie’s Farm, Bath
Farmers Guardian Farming Hero of the Year Sponsored by Farmers Guardian
Sam Stables, Kings Pitt Farm, Herefordshire
