The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

Farmers Guardian journalist wins Guild award

Tom Ryder, Farmers Guardian interim deputy digital editor, has won the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ John Deere Training Award, with his article titled: Profitable upland farming: How Shropshire farmers are making the environment pay

clock • 1 min read
Farmers Guardian journalist wins Guild award

The article featured a farmer-led group in Shropshire, The Upper Onny Farmers Group, who are working together to help improve land, water and wildlife while being financially stable, and was published as part of a Farmers Guardian water special.

Featuring various farmers from the group, the article highlighted how collaboration and knowledge exchange play a key part in ensuring businesses thrive in the future, despite the uncertain political landscape.

READ THE ARTICLE NOW

Tom said it is an honour to win the award, and as someone who is from a farming background, promoting the sector is something he is passionate about.

"Farmers like those in the Upper Onny Farmers Group are paving the way for anyone who wants to farm with nature, without losing out on profitability," he said.

"They are demonstrating real examples of farmers who have improved their land, water and wildlife, while also strengthening their margins.

"It is widely overlooked how much farmers care for the land they tend. No industry works with nature quite like ours, and we should shout about those who are showing how it can be done profitably."

"This is the key outlook - it is not about taking land out of food production, it is about working with your farm's land rather than against it."

READ NOW: Farming with the sea: Suffolk farmer turns flooding threat into a nature-based solution

Judges said Tom's story was ‘well written and thoughtfully sourced'.

The award will be presented at this year's British Guild of Agricultural Journalists Harvest Lunch on October 9 in London.

More on Environment

Kellogg's regen programme to cover UK wheat supply

Kellogg's regen programme to cover UK wheat supply

The cereal giant sources more than 20,000 tonnes of British wheat annually

Alex Black
clock 25 September 2026 • 2 min read
Farm wins praise as dormice return to restored habitat

Farm wins praise as dormice return to restored habitat

Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) says discovery shows how farming can help reverse wildlife decline

Jane Thynne
clock 20 September 2026 • 2 min read
Efforts ramp up to prevent England remaining in drought next spring

Efforts ramp up to prevent England remaining in drought next spring

The National Drought Group heard of potential rainfall scenarios over the next several months with the most likely pointing towards a warmer and wetter than average autumn

Mia Willemsen
clock 16 September 2026 • 4 min read