2026 British Farming Awards shortlist announced

It is with great excitement that we reveal the shortlist for this year's British Farming Awards. Now in its 14th year, the event continues to be a shining celebration of our industry's incredible people. Those who go above and beyond to put food on our plates, care for our land and inspire future generations.

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This year's finalists represent the very best of British agriculture, passionate individuals, determined families and innovative businesses reminding us every day why farming matters. From stories of success to moments of resilience and quiet impact, each finalist has made a mark, and it is our honour to share their stories and give them the platform they deserve. 

Hawkstone Farmers' Choir performance

This year's awards ceremony, taking place on Thursday, October 15 at the VOX Birmingham, is set to be the best celebration yet, with Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone Farmers' Choir taking centre stage and performing live during the event.

Ruby Gwilliam, head of communications for the choir, said: "The Hawkstone Farmers' Choir is honoured to be invited to perform at The British Farming Awards. This is one of the most prestigious occasions in the farming calendar and we all look forward to entertaining our peers in the industry. It promises to be a fun filled evening and one where we might be allowed to wear our party frocks instead of farming gear." 

The 2026 British Farming Awards shortlist

Agricultural Student of the Year  

• Betty Battarbee, North Yorkshire  
• Emma Burgess, Shetland  
• Faith Claudia Hepple, Northumberland  
• Leah Crabbe, Ceredigion  
• Louise Gabrielle Summerson, North Yorkshire   

Agricultural Supplier of the Year  

• Daw Refrigeration, Exeter   
• Duncan & Toplis, Lincolnshire  
• Turney Group, Oxfordshire  
• Shield Agriculture, Lancashire  

Agriculture's Woman of the Year – Sponsored by NFU Mutual  

• Sarah Felstead, Cheshire   
• Joanna Hilditch, North Herefordshire   
• Clare Otridge, Cambridgeshire  
• Clare Price, Warwickshire   
• Helen Reeve, Norfolk   
• Hannah Rose, Monmouthshire   
• Rebecca Tonks, Cornwall  
• Clare Wise, Co Durham  

Agri-innovation of the Year  

• AgriStride, Lancashire   
• Galebreaker, CalfHub, Herefordshire  
• Hej Harvester, Worcestershire   
• OptiGene Novus, West Sussex  
• Yokit, Angus   

Arable Farmer of the Year  

• Russ McKenzie, Cambridgeshire   
• Philip Rowbottom, West Yorkshire   
• Joshua Wright, East Yorkshire   

Beef Farmer of the Year  

• J. H. Allis and Son, Lincolnshire   
• Charles Owen Grisedale, Ceredigion    
• T. D. Jones and Co, Chester  
• Alex and Gemma Sell, Essex

Content Creator of the Year – Sponsored by Hillsgreen 

• Ben Aveling, Northamptonshire   
• Ben Best, Dumfries & Galloway  
• Ben Brooke, Cambridgeshire  
• Alexander Coggon, North Lincolnshire   
• Lauren Gourlay, North Lanarkshire  
• Jacob Morrison, Shropshire   
• David Wheatley, Cambridgeshire 

Contractor of the Year – Sponsored by Case IH 

• T. B. Clappison, East Yorkshire   
• Tom Dirom Agricultural Contractors, West Yorkshire  
• Josh Fletcher, Norfork  
• Kirby Cattle Services, Cheshire    

Dairy Farmer of the Year – Sponsored by Asterra 

• Sarah Bevan and Paul Williams, Gloucestershire   
• Dowsons Dairies, Lancashire  
• Craig Mounty, Somerset  

Large Diversification of the Year  

• Dowsons Dairies, Lancashire   
• Fron Farm, Flintshire   
• Glebe Farm Foods, Cambridgeshire   
• Let's Farm, Cheshire  
• Marshall's Farm Shop, Aberdeenshire  
• Rackery Retreat, Rackery Farm Shop, Rackery Run and dog wash, Wrexham Clwyd   

Small/Medium Diversification of the Year  

• Bates Farm, Cheshire   
• Sarah Bevan and Paul Williams, Gloucestershire   
• James Casswell, Lincolnshire   
• New Sheepfold Farm, North Yorkshire  
• Springfield Farm, Midlothian    

Employer of the Year  

• Cogent Breeding, Chester  
• Quadzilla/CFMOTO, Jasmine, Kent  
• St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, Cornwall  
• The Summer Berry Company, West Sussex   

Family Farming Business of the Year – Sponsored by Goodyear Farm Tires  

• Bower Family, Staffordshire   
• Dowson Family, Lancashire  
• Hunter Family, Preston   
• Padda Family, Worcestershire   
• Padfield Family, Wiltshire    

Farm Adviser of the Year   

• Sarah Davidson, Co Antrim 
• Ben Griffiths, Shropshire   
• Jack Hughes, Bedfordshire  
• Kaz Monteith, Herefordshire  
• Chloe Rodriguez, Midlothian  

Farm Worker of the Year – Sponsored by Isuzu  

• Mollie Farney, Gloucestershire  
• Jessica Tilley-Moore, Staffordshire   
• Harry Todd, Kent  
• Tyler Webb, Northamptonshire   

Grassland Farmer – Sponsored by Germinal  

• BB Haylage, Lincolnshire  
• Graham Parks, Cheshire  
• William Roobottom, Staffordshire  

New Entrant to Agriculture Award – Sponsored by Addington Fund  

• Bernadette Benney, Cornwall   
• Chloe Lucas, Essex  
• Rodrigo Navarro, Hampshire   
• Caroline Tasker, Aspire Farm School, East Sussex  
• Jessica Tilley-Moore, Staffordshire    

Regenerative Farmer of the Year – Sponsored by The Ethical Butcher  

• A. R. Gorringe and Partners, Hereford  
• Mallard Grange Farm, North Yorkshire  
• Timothy Riley, West Yorkshire    

Sheep Farmer of the Year  

• Dandy Farm, Cheshire   
• C Lindsay Farming, Isle of Arran  
• William Roobottom, Staffordshire  
• M. Seed and Son, Home Farm, Auchry   
• A. and R. Wilson, Middlesbrough    

Sustainable Farmer of the Year - Sponsored by NSF  

• Katie Allen, North Wiltshire   
• Cole Farming, Mid Devon  
• Evesham Vale Growers, Worcestershire   
• James Wright, North Herefordshire     

Taking place on October 15 at VOX in Birmingham, the British Farming Awards will welcome industry professionals from across the country to celebrate British agriculture and the successes it has had this year. Tickets are now available to celebrate with the finalists.

For the past fourteen years The British Farming Awards, powered by Farmers Guardian, has recognised British Farmers and Agricultural businesses for their commitment, resilience and innovation to an industry that consistently serves the nation. Alongside farming's core sectors – dairy, beef, sheep, arable and technology – there is also recognition in other valued areas such as family farms, students, new entrants, agri-tech and the huge number of farm diversifications, which are now so crucial to many businesses. 

Organised by Agriconnect, parent company of Farmers Guardian, Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer, the British Farming Awards is supported by Morrisons.