Introducing our 2026 Young British Farming Awards Winners:

Junior Young Handler of the Year (6-10 years)

Edie King, Lancashire  

At just nine years old, Lancashire's Edie King is already demonstrating an exceptional passion for sheep, combining natural talent in the show ring with impressive hands-on stockmanship. A two-time Young British Farming Awards finalist, Edie puts huge effort into preparing her sheep, beginning at lambing time when she selects her summer show team. She takes responsibility for washing, carding, trimming and whitening each animal, ensuring they are presented to the highest standard. Her dedication has already earned her numerous championships, rosettes and newspaper features.

Away from the show ring, Edie is equally committed to her stock. She takes responsibility for clean water troughs and well-bedded pens, while helping with worming, vitamins, dipping, clipping and foot care. She also takes an active interest in genetics, helping select suitable tups to improve future generations. With a keen understanding of her land, livestock and farm safety, Edie is developing the knowledge and confidence to become a talented stockwoman for the future.

Senior Young Handler of the Year (11-17 years)

Zara Clough, South Cumbria 

At 17, South Cumbria's Zara Clough has already established herself as an exceptional young handler, with national honours reflecting years of dedication to sheep and the wider agricultural community. A two-time winner of the RBST Young Handler of the Year award, Zara has also claimed young handler titles at prestigious shows including the Great Yorkshire, Royal Cheshire, Cumberland County, Westmorland County and Stafford County. Her reputation is such that she is regularly asked to show sheep for other flocks.

Away from the ring, Zara is a natural shepherd, working alongside her sheepdog Raven to gather the family flock and carrying out husbandry including worming and vaccination. She breeds and shows pedigree Hampshire Downs under her Crakemoor flock prefix, carefully selecting breeding rams to continually improve her flock. Zara also gives back to the next generation, coaching younger children through the RBST Young Shepherds at Country Fest. Always willing to help fellow breeders, she is already a highly respected ambassador for young people and UK farming.

Kaleb Cooper New Entrant of the Year – Sponsored by Lantra

Archie Morris, Essex

At just seven years old, Essex's Archie Morris is already turning his passion for farming into an inspiring smallholding enterprise, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference. Archie started with a few chickens in his garden but now rents farmland and cares for more than 100 chickens, alongside ducks, geese, beehives and vegetables. He has also taken in numerous animals needing to be rehomed and collects bee swarms when they are in difficult situations.

His produce is sold through an honesty box outside his home, local deliveries and a pop-up shop, giving Archie hands-on experience of growing, producing and selling food. Rain or shine, he visits his smallholding every day to care for his animals and crops. With more than 9,000 followers, Archie is already inspiring people far beyond his local community. He has also begun visiting nurseries and schools with chicks, helping children understand animals, farming and where their food comes from. Kaleb Cooper praised Archie, commenting, "What really stands out to me about Archie is that his passion isn't just about farming for himself. He is already inspiring other children by sharing his knowledge and encouraging them to learn about animals and grow their own food. Archie is a fantastic example of the next generation of farmers".

Young Farmers' Club of the year – Sponsored by KW Feeds

Penrith Young Farmers, North Cumbria

Penrith Young Farmers Club has marked its 90th anniversary year with an ambitious programme of events, fundraising and community initiatives, demonstrating the enduring value of Young Farmers to rural life. Members welcomed more than 3,000 people to the Penrith Bonfire and Fireworks, raised £4,500 for RABI through their anniversary ball and supported local agricultural shows and Cumbria Harvest Festival. They also created a 90th Anniversary Exhibition at Rheged, showcasing nine decades of the Club's history and contribution to the community.

One of the year's standout achievements was the revival of the Penrith Rally after a 25-year absence following Foot and Mouth Disease. Working with former members, advisers and volunteers, the Club successfully restored an important rural tradition for a new generation.

Alongside social and practical activities, Penrith YFC provides opportunities to develop leadership, communication and farming skills, while supporting members' wellbeing and raising money for charities. With members giving their time, energy and enthusiasm, Penrith YFC continues to bring young people together while making a meaningful contribution to rural communities.

Young Farmers' Club Junior Member of the Year (u18) 

Macie Lewis, Devon

At just 14, Devon's Macie Lewis has already made an impressive mark on Young Farmers, combining exceptional competition success with leadership, livestock and a genuine passion for supporting others.

Macie joined YFC as sport officer before progressing through fundraising officer and secretary, a role she took on at just 12, to become chairperson of Dartmouth YFC at 13. Over the past year, she has excelled across stock judging, shearing, public speaking, panto and field competitions, collecting numerous group, county and national placings. At Devon County Show, her achievements included winning the dairy stock judging and topping the under-18 points across all classes.

Away from YFC, Macie has developed her own flock, now in its fourth year. She manages the sheep through breeding and lambing before selling quality lamb locally and at Exeter. Always willing to help new and nervous members, Macie's enthusiasm and leadership are inspiring the next generation of farmers.

Young Farmers' Club Senior Member of the Year (18-30 years) – Sponsored by FCN

Sian Healey, Brecknock

Brecknock's Sian Healey has dedicated 16 years to Young Farmers, giving her time generously at club, county and national level while remaining a passionate advocate for agriculture.

Although her family left their own farm in 2014, Sian has maintained strong links with farming, helping her uncle and cousin with their sheep enterprise during busy periods including lambing and harvest. Her practical experience, combined with success in stockjudging and carcass competitions at Welsh and national level, has given her a strong understanding of livestock quality, food production and commercial farming.

Sian now shares that knowledge by training and mentoring younger members for stockjudging competitions, helping build their confidence and practical skills. Her commitment to farm safety also stretches back to childhood, when she won the First Aid section of the Farm Safety competition aged 10. More recently, she secured funding for ATV training opportunities for YFC members. A passionate supporter of Welsh agriculture, Sian continues to represent farming through competitions, community initiatives and advocacy, making her an outstanding role model for the next generation.

Young Fundraising Hero:

Joe Trofer-Cook, Lincolnshire

At just 14 years old, two-time Young British Farming Awards finalist, Lincolnshire's Joe Trofer-Cook has demonstrated remarkable initiative, organising a farm nativity event that raised an impressive £4,700 for two causes close to his heart. Joe wanted to support his local Heckington and Sleaford Young Farmers Club, while also raising money for the air ambulance, recognising its vital role in responding to farm and rural accidents. He organised much of the event himself, bringing together local children, farm animals and more than 200 members of the community for a sell-out two-night event.

Held in an old cow shed, the traditional nativity featured Joe's show sheep, his sheepdog performing tricks, cows and a donkey supplied by Cannon Hall Farm. Local businesses and individuals rallied behind Joe, donating an array of farm-related raffle prizes, while local producers supplied strawberries and Christmas vegetables. With music, refreshments and television coverage adding to the occasion, Joe's determination turned a simple idea into a memorable community fundraising success.

Junior Young Farm Worker of the Year (6-10 years)                                      

William Pearson, West Yorkshire 

At just 10 years old, West Yorkshire's William Pearson is already making an impressive contribution to his family's 100-acre suckler farm, while inspiring others with his enthusiasm for farming. Growing up around the family's 80 suckler cows, William has become actively involved in day-to-day tasks, from feeding calves and checking stock to unwrapping silage bales and assisting with tagging, worming and dehorning. His sharp eye for animal welfare was demonstrated when he spotted a poorly calf showing only subtle signs that something was wrong, ensuring it received prompt veterinary attention.

William also has his own herd of four Blue Cross Limousin cattle. His homebred heifer Betty secured second place in the Young Handlers Class at Thirsk Auction Mart, while one of his bulls later achieved £2,450 at the same market. Away from the farm, William has showcased his farming experiences at school and demonstrated impressive auctioneering skills at local fundraising events. His confidence, kindness and willingness to learn make him a wonderful ambassador for the next generation of farmers.

Senior Young Farm Worker of the Year (11-17 years) – Sponsored by KRONE

Ashton Wallace, Co Antrim 

At just 13, County Antrim's Ashton Wallace is already an accomplished young dairy farmer, combining hands-on stockmanship with an impressive breadth of agricultural knowledge. Judge, Charlotte Ashley commented, "Ashton has a resume longer than mine at 13 years old and probably also knows more about cows than I do!" The fourth generation at Ashdale Farm, Ashton works alongside his family's 300-cow pedigree Holstein herd whenever he can, carrying out jobs including calving, tagging, dehorning, calf feeding, milking and mixing TMR rations. He is responsible for rearing calves from three to 12 weeks on the automatic feeder and completes his daily duties after school, as well as working weekends and holidays.

A member of Lylehill Young Farmers and NI Holstein Young Breeders, Ashton has developed his skills through stockjudging, public speaking, silage assessment and showmanship. He won second in the junior showmanship class at the 2025 annual calf show and has also excelled in ploughing, winning the youngest ploughman and under-25 trophies. With a growing interest in genetics, technology and farm machinery, Ashton is already contributing ideas to future developments, including the design of the farm's new calf shed, while showing genuine care for the animals he works with.

Young Farmer of the Future – Sponsored by NFU Mutual

William Robinson, North Cumbria

At just 11 years old, North Cumbria's William Robinson is already building an impressive agricultural enterprise, turning his love of ducks into a thriving market business. William started Martindale Muscovies & Waterfowl in 2021, initially selling duck and goose eggs from the farm gate. Since then, he has expanded his flock, supplied shops, pubs and restaurants, and become the youngest trader at around 11 farmers' markets each month. He also delivers eggs to regular customers around his local valley by bike.

A natural salesman, William has developed his range by collaborating with fellow producers, selling honey, marmalade and Christmas poultry alongside his own eggs and merchandise. He also runs themed activities through the KFM Kids Club, helping bring families to Kendal Farmers' Market. Most importantly, William has found that farming and trading provide a way to develop skills and confidence. His determination to overcome challenges and keep learning has inspired his younger brother, who now works alongside him. With a clear ambition to expand his business, William is already laying the foundations for his future in farming.

Young Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Brooksby College

Ben O'Connor, County Down

At just 16, County Down dairy farmer Ben O'Connor is combining hands-on farming experience with digital innovation to create a practical solution to everyday challenges on farm. Alongside his involvement in the family dairy business, Ben is developing FarmFlow, a digital farm management platform designed to bring daily tasks, livestock records, treatments, labour tracking and team communication into one place. The idea came from seeing how important information can become scattered across notebooks, paper records and verbal instructions during busy periods.

FarmFlow aims to make farm management simpler and more organised, allowing tasks to be logged in real time, responsibilities assigned and animal health and medicine records kept up to date. By improving access to information, the platform could help farmers manage workloads, support compliance and reduce the risk of important jobs being missed.

Driven by real farm experience rather than theory, Ben is demonstrating how technology can be designed around farmers' needs, helping create more efficient and organised businesses for the future.

Farmers Guardian Young Farming Hero – Sponsored by Massey Ferguson

William Hunt, Derbyshire

At just 15, Derbyshire farmer William Hunt has demonstrated exceptional dedication to his family and the farm, balancing full-time education and a part-time job with an increasingly important role in the family business. Living on the family's traditional mixed livestock farm in the Peak District, William helps care for sheep and rear calves, taking on jobs including feeding, animal health checks, lambing, calf rearing, fencing and general maintenance.

Over the past year, William has stepped up significantly following his grandad's diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. Getting up early before school to feed and check the calves, then returning after school to continue farm work, he has taken on responsibilities that would normally be shared across the family. Rather than waiting to be asked, William recognises what needs doing and gets on with it. His maturity, reliability and unwavering support have helped ease pressure on his grandparents while keeping the farm running through an incredibly difficult period.