It is with great excitement that we reveal the shortlist for this year's British Farming Awards. Now in its 13th 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.  

This year's finalists represent the very best of British agriculture, passionate individuals, determined families and innovative businesses reminding us of 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. 

Introducing the 2025 British Farming Awards shortlist:  

Agricultural Student of the Year  

• Elektra Brown - Derbyshire 
• Olivia (Coco) Jalloh - Sussex 
• Kirsty Brownlee - Cumbria 
• George Elliott - Derbyshire

Agri-tech Innovator of the Year  

• Soil Benchmark - North Yorkshire 
• JRH Water Management - Lincolnshire 
• Martin Lishman Ltd - Lincolnshire 
• Herdwatch - Shropshire 
• GreenStalk - Norfolk 
• O2 Agri - Shropshire 
• KEENAN - Lincolnshire 
• Fireward - Essex 

Arable Farmer of the Year  

• Jamie Stokes - Cambridgeshire 
• Will Oliver - Warwickshire
• Colin Chappell - North Lincolnshire 

Beef Farmer of the Year  

• Matthew Wright - Staffordshire
• Emily Upton - Shropshire  
• Graham Parks - Cheshire 
• Katie Davies - Glamorgan 

Content Creator of the Year  

• Annie Winn - Northamptonshire 
• Charlotte Evans - Gloucestershire 
• Graeme Parker - Wigtownshire
• Lizzie McLaughlin - Cambridgeshire 
• Mike Greenwood-Wilkins - Wiltshire 
• Tom Lamb - South Lincolnshire
• Tom Ware - Nottinghamshire 
• Wallace Currie - Isle of Arran 

Contractor of the Year 

• Angus Newton - Norfolk 
• Jayne Bristol - Lancashire 
• Neil Fell - Durham

Dairy Farmer of the Year  

• Dean Sparkes - Bristol 
• Mark and Caroline Davies - Pembrokeshire
• Zara Dorrington - Lincolnshire 
• Peter & Julie Cope and Richard Fair - Cheshire 
• Geoffrey & Rosemary Brown - Derbyshire 

Diversification of the Year (Large)  

• The Wellbeing Farm - Lancashire 
• Cotters Park Ltd - Co Antrim 
• New Sheepfold Farm - North Yorkshire 
• Manor Farm Fruits, Pumpkin Fest - Staffordshire 
• Mootrition Limited - Cheshire 
• Cotswold Farm Park - Gloucestershire 

Diversification of the Year (Small to Medium)  

• Nest - Co Durham 
• Cotton Eye Sew - Cumbria 
• Eden Yard - Cumbria 
• The Herdwick Experience - Cumbria 
• Annagh Social Farm CIC - Co Fermanagh
• Full Circle Farms Sussex Ltd - Sussex 

Employer of the Year  

• Quadzilla (CFMOTO UK and Ireland) - Lincolnshire 
• The Wellbeing Farm - Lancashire 
• Hall Hunter Partnership - South East England 
• CXCS Group - Herefordshire 

Family Farming Business of the Year  

• The Chappell family - Lincolnshire 
• The Walker family - Lancashire 
• The Hall family - Berkshire 
• The Semmens family - Cornwall 

Farm Worker of the Year  

• Chloe Lucas - Essex 
• Takara Comrie - Lincolnshire 
• Andrew Pugh - Shropshire 

Grassland Farmer of the Year  

• Rob Havard - Worcestershire 
• Frazer Bloor - Shropshire 
• Robert (Roy) Mayers - Co Fermanagh 

Manufacturer of the Year  

• Quadzilla (CFMOTO UK and Ireland) - Lincolnshire 
• Claydon Drills - Suffolk 
• Kuhn - Shropshire 
• Flail-Tec - Ballygawley 
• Brineflow (Nitrasol) - Norfolk 
• Weaving Machinery - Worcestershire 

New Entrants Award: Against the Odds  

• Andrew and Cath Broadhead - Lancashire
• Chrissie & Mat Crossman - Wiltshire
• Harry Churchill - Bristol
• James Newhouse - North Yorkshire 

Regenerative Farmer of the Year  

• Colin Chappell - North Lincolnshire 
• Craig Livingstone - Hampshire
• David Finlay - Dumfries and Galloway 
• Dr Johnny Wake - Northamptonshire 
• Graham Parks - Cheshire 
• Hugh Carter - Durham 
• Neil White - Berwickshire

Sheep Farmer of the Year  

• Amelia Brighouse - Cheshire
• Matt Bagley - Lincolnshire 
• Tom Cox - Staffordshire 
• George and Nicola (GT Wordie) - Aberdeenshire 

Sustainable Farmer of the Year  

• Ellen Firth - Denbighshire 
• Matt and Lloyd Smith - Cambridgeshire 
• Tom Webster - Greater London 

Women in Agriculture Award  

• Hannah Binns - Lancashire 
• Harriet Cowan - Derbyshire 
• Karen Powell - Herefordshire 
• Future Farm Ruminant Team - Shropshire 
• Shabawn Farrall - Cheshire
• Sophie Throup - Yorkshire 
• Torrence Summerfield - Staffordshire 
• Baroness Kate Rock - Dorset

A few words from some of last year's winners: 

Agri-tech Innovator of the Year  

PES Technologies, Norfolk - "Being recognised as Agri-Tech Innovator of the Year was huge validation of what we have been building here at PES; it has been a real badge of honour. I am humbled to have been asked to review the most exciting innovations in British farming this year and wish all of the competitors the very best of luck!"  

Contractor of the Year

Nigel Harper, ND Harper, Cheshire - "The British Farming Awards celebrate all the amazing things happening within our industry - it is the creme de la creme. Winning Contractor of the Year last year was the proudest moment of my career so far. I'm really excited to be judging this year and can't wait to meet the finalists, I am particularly looking forward to picking up some tips and getting other contractors' thoughts on our industry. Good Luck to all of the 2025 finalists."  

Arable Farmer of the Year  

Nicholas Watts, Vine House Farm, Spalding - "I never thought that Arable Farmer of the Year would be awarded to someone whose passion is also looking after the countryside, and I was delighted to be the winner."  

Family Farming Business of the Year  

The Ladds family, R&E Ladds, Cumbria - "We were absolutely overwhelmed to win last year's award. We were just pleased to be nominated and to be part of such a wonderful occasion, to win was beyond our wildest dreams. We are so very proud, and all of us at Benson Hall wish this year's nominees all the best of luck."  

Diversification of the Year (Small to Medium)  

Cheryl Reeves, Agri-cation CIC, Wrexham - "Good luck to all the finalists for the Small Diversification of the Year British Farming Award, this was an amazing achievement for myself and Agri-cation CIC last year and it has opened up a world of opportunity, enabling more communities to come together and learn about animal production."  

Diversification of the Year (Large)  

Ed Foster, The Rhynd, JLW Foster, Fife - "We wish everyone the best of luck this year and can't wait to see who emerges as a potential for the 'Diversification of the Year' award. It was such a surprise to win it last year, and we still get people mentioning it all these months later.  

"It was the perfect rubber stamp to tell us that we have not lost the plot and some of what we do is okay."  

Taking place on 16 October at VOX in Birmingham, the event will welcome industry professionals from across the country to celebrate British agriculture and the successes it has had this year.  

Get your tickets here to celebrate with the finalists at The British Farming Awards: https://www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk/britishfarmingawards/en/page/table-packages