Young farmer and Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper is set to judge a brand-new award at this year's Young British Farming Awards, celebrating young people who are from non-farming backgrounds.
The Kaleb Cooper New Entrant of the Year Award, introduced for the first time in 2025, recognises six to 17-year-olds who have discovered a passion for agriculture and are showing dedication, curiosity and a hands-on approach.
It is open to those who have found their way into the sector through school, a weekend job, or simply learning on the go.
Next generation
The award reflects the TV personality's long-standing commitment to opening up farming to new talent. Having entered the industry himself without any background in agriculture, he has previously spoken out about the challenges young people face when attempting to make that same leap.
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Earlier this year, he said: "It does not matter if you are not born into it or not.
"What matters the most is that you get out of bed in the morning and you go and farm."
Bursary
In 2023, he launched the Kaleb Cooper Bursary at the Royal Agricultural University, providing two bursaries of £3,000 to help students who want to pursue a career in agriculture.
Mr Cooper explained that his bursary aims to remove those financial obstacles which might prevent an aspiring farmer from entering the industry, as he believes ‘farming can be for anybody'.
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"I am so passionate about supporting the new generation through into the best industry in the world.
"Especially as I know from my own experience that it is not an obvious or easy route for someone who does not come from a farming family."
Entries for the Kaleb Cooper New Entrant of the Year Award are now open. Full criteria and details are available via the Young British Farming Awards website.
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