- Location
- Angus, Scotland
SoilEssentials are lucky enough to be shortlisted in the Agri-tech Innovator of the Year category with our Tuberzone innovation for potato growers, and this recognition certainly adds a little more icing to the 20th anniversary cake this year.
Entering awards is a really worthwhile exercise and helps you focus and identify what you are (hopefully) doing well. As a small company we wanted to showcase and shout about the innovative work we are doing while championing the farming industry. The BFA is a great platform to gather amazing stories about amazing businesses and individuals… and we're thrilled to be one of them! In such an unusual year, being distanced from colleagues and adapting to new ways of working, to be shortlisted is extremely encouraging, providing a well-deserved boost and recognises our energetic enthusiasm for what we do.
Read the official press release with all the shortlisted finalists in all categories here:
The British Farming Awards 2020 has welcomed a record number of registrations this year, a testament to the incredible work being done on farms throughout Britain. Fifty-six individuals will now battle it out for the 14 categories up for grabs which highlight the innovation and diversity of UK agriculture. Alongside the core sectors of agriculture including dairy, beef, sheep, arable and contracting, the awards also celebrate new entrants coming into the industry, the wealth of diversification businesses and family farms and recognition to the evolving presence of agri technology within agriculture.
A further two awards – Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture and Farmers Guardian Farming Hero – will be announced during the awards evening which will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 21.
Organised by AgriBriefing, parent company of Farmers Guardian, Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer, the British Farming Awards is supported by Morrisons.
Innovation
Now entering its eighth year, the British Farming Awards has become a nationally recognised event which has celebrated, showcased and rewarded hundreds of British farmers who have successfully introduced innovation to drive their business forward, despite ever-increasing challenges.
As households around the nation have relied on farmers and local producers to serve the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry has welcomed a new appreciation from the public and this year’s event is more poignant than ever.
Sophie Throup, Head of Agriculture, Fisheries and Sustainable Sourcing at Morrisons, said the awards was a welcome reminder of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by UK farmers all year round.
She said: “In these unprecedented times, we would like to thank and celebrate the work of British farmers and growers who are helping to feed the nation.
“At Morrisons, we have always valued British farming and being able to buy products directly from farms for our stores and the many food banks who rely on us is now more important than ever.
“The awards provides us with a timely reminder to pause and acknowledge the effort, innovation and skills which go into providing food farmed to high standards that we all enjoy.”
2020 British Farming Awards finalists
The awards welcomed individual entries but also nominations from fellow professionals and peers.
• Agricultural Student of the Year, sponsored by Kubota
Oliver Chapman, Riseholme College
Megan Edwards, Harper Adams University
Hannah McGrath, Rothamsted Research and University of Reading
Grace Welling, Harper Adams University
• Agri-Tech Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank
David Farquhar, Intelligent Growth Solutions, Perthshire
Tom Freeman, 18a Productions, Somerset
Jim Wilson & Robert Ramsay, SoilEssentials, Angus
Marc Skivington, Smart Farmer, Aberdeenshire
• Arable Innovator of the Year
Richard Anthony, Tythegston Farm, Glamorgan
Charles Antrobus, Greenways Farm, Warwickshire
Edward Burman, Kingstanding Farm, Warwickshire
George Young, Fobbing Farm, Essex
• Beef Innovator of the Year, sponsored by ABP Food Group
Mark Crapper, New Grange Farm, Yorkshire
Ben Harman, Grove Farm, Buckinghamshire
Andrew Hodgson, Cheverton Farm, Isle of Wight
Jon Smith, Holkham Farming Company, Norfolk
• Contractor Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Kuhn
Rob Burtonshaw, Farm Services, Warwickshire
Ashley Luke and Chelsea Steel, A J Luke Contracting, Somerset
Angus Newton, Aon Services, Norfolk
Steven Rolfe, Stevie Rolfe Cattle Services, Lanarkshire
• Dairy Innovator of the Year sponsored by Arla
George and William Holmes, Holmes Farms, Dorset
Tom Neill, Thornington Farm, Northumberland
Anthony Oakes, Stublach Farm, Cheshire
Tom Rawson and Charlie Crotty, Evolution Farming, Yorkshire
• Digital Innovator of the Year
Chris Franklin, Caenhill Countryside Centre, Wiltshire
David Hill, The Greatest Online Agricultural Show, Berkshire
Anna Jones, Just Farmers, Bristol
Jo Martin, Rural Business Network, Co Durham
• Diversification Innovator of the Year (Small to medium)
David and Felicity Brown, Hoe Grange Holidays, Derbyshire
Andrew and Jenny Jones, Rackery Retreat, Wrexham
Claire Kennerley, Gruff Outdoor Learning, Cheshire
Nicola Sanderson, Senwick Leisure, Dumfries and Galloway
• Diversification Innovator of the Year (Large)
Edward Dee, West Lodge Rural Centre, Northamptonshire
Patrick Deeley, Flower Farm, Surrey
Ben Hollins, Fordhall Farm Event Caterers, Shropshire
Tim and Kate Mason, Vale Training Services, Buckinghamshire
• Family Farming Business of the Year, sponsored by Morrisons
The Elliott family, Noborough Lodge Farm, Northamptonshire
The Hamilton family, Plurenden Manor Farm, Kent
The Hodgson family, Great Newsome Farm, Yorkshire
The Nicholson family, Cannon Hall Farm, Yorkshire
• Farm Worker of the Year, sponsored by ABN
Murray Craig, Swindale Foot Farm, Cumbria
Paul Evans, Aberbrwynen Farm, Ceredigion
Shaun Mckay, The Farm, Shropshire
Andrew Moss, Park Corner Farms, Gloucestershire
• Machinery Innovator of the Year
Chris Ecob, Nursery Farm, Oxfordshire
Falkiner Small, Cedar Lodge, Co Armagh
Gordon Stephen, Wagglehill Croft, Aberdeenshire
Paul Wilson, Leek Farm, Northumberland
• New Entrants Award: Against the odds, sponsored by KW
Martyn and Claire Eastham, Newhouse Farm, Dorset
Ben Lowe, Newseat Of Dumbreck Farm, Aberdeenshire
Rachel Yarrow and Fraser Norton, Earth Trust Farm, Oxfordshire
Ross and Kirsty Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Aberdeenshire
• Sheep Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Dunbia
Jeremy Durrant, The Hydes, Essex
John Howie, Girtridge Farm, Ayrshire
John Minary, Operation Bo Peep!, Yorkshire
• Farmers Guardian’s Farming Hero
This award recognises an individual or group of people who strive to make a positive difference to the lives of other people during times of uncertainty or adversity. They may also be campaigning to raise awareness to the wider industry and beyond. The winner will be announced on the evening of the awards.
• Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture, sponsored by NSF International
This award is designed to recognise one individual’s dedication to the farming industry; someone who has worked tirelessly for UK farming, through delivering innovation, championing the needs for farmers, spearheading change or promoting the industry to the wider public. The winner will be announced on the evening of the awards.
For more information about the awards evening visit www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk/awards-night
Entering awards is a really worthwhile exercise and helps you focus and identify what you are (hopefully) doing well. As a small company we wanted to showcase and shout about the innovative work we are doing while championing the farming industry. The BFA is a great platform to gather amazing stories about amazing businesses and individuals… and we're thrilled to be one of them! In such an unusual year, being distanced from colleagues and adapting to new ways of working, to be shortlisted is extremely encouraging, providing a well-deserved boost and recognises our energetic enthusiasm for what we do.
Read the official press release with all the shortlisted finalists in all categories here:
The British Farming Awards 2020 has welcomed a record number of registrations this year, a testament to the incredible work being done on farms throughout Britain. Fifty-six individuals will now battle it out for the 14 categories up for grabs which highlight the innovation and diversity of UK agriculture. Alongside the core sectors of agriculture including dairy, beef, sheep, arable and contracting, the awards also celebrate new entrants coming into the industry, the wealth of diversification businesses and family farms and recognition to the evolving presence of agri technology within agriculture.
A further two awards – Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture and Farmers Guardian Farming Hero – will be announced during the awards evening which will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 21.
Organised by AgriBriefing, parent company of Farmers Guardian, Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer, the British Farming Awards is supported by Morrisons.
Innovation
Now entering its eighth year, the British Farming Awards has become a nationally recognised event which has celebrated, showcased and rewarded hundreds of British farmers who have successfully introduced innovation to drive their business forward, despite ever-increasing challenges.
As households around the nation have relied on farmers and local producers to serve the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry has welcomed a new appreciation from the public and this year’s event is more poignant than ever.
Sophie Throup, Head of Agriculture, Fisheries and Sustainable Sourcing at Morrisons, said the awards was a welcome reminder of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by UK farmers all year round.
She said: “In these unprecedented times, we would like to thank and celebrate the work of British farmers and growers who are helping to feed the nation.
“At Morrisons, we have always valued British farming and being able to buy products directly from farms for our stores and the many food banks who rely on us is now more important than ever.
“The awards provides us with a timely reminder to pause and acknowledge the effort, innovation and skills which go into providing food farmed to high standards that we all enjoy.”
2020 British Farming Awards finalists
The awards welcomed individual entries but also nominations from fellow professionals and peers.
• Agricultural Student of the Year, sponsored by Kubota
Oliver Chapman, Riseholme College
Megan Edwards, Harper Adams University
Hannah McGrath, Rothamsted Research and University of Reading
Grace Welling, Harper Adams University
• Agri-Tech Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank
David Farquhar, Intelligent Growth Solutions, Perthshire
Tom Freeman, 18a Productions, Somerset
Jim Wilson & Robert Ramsay, SoilEssentials, Angus
Marc Skivington, Smart Farmer, Aberdeenshire
• Arable Innovator of the Year
Richard Anthony, Tythegston Farm, Glamorgan
Charles Antrobus, Greenways Farm, Warwickshire
Edward Burman, Kingstanding Farm, Warwickshire
George Young, Fobbing Farm, Essex
• Beef Innovator of the Year, sponsored by ABP Food Group
Mark Crapper, New Grange Farm, Yorkshire
Ben Harman, Grove Farm, Buckinghamshire
Andrew Hodgson, Cheverton Farm, Isle of Wight
Jon Smith, Holkham Farming Company, Norfolk
• Contractor Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Kuhn
Rob Burtonshaw, Farm Services, Warwickshire
Ashley Luke and Chelsea Steel, A J Luke Contracting, Somerset
Angus Newton, Aon Services, Norfolk
Steven Rolfe, Stevie Rolfe Cattle Services, Lanarkshire
• Dairy Innovator of the Year sponsored by Arla
George and William Holmes, Holmes Farms, Dorset
Tom Neill, Thornington Farm, Northumberland
Anthony Oakes, Stublach Farm, Cheshire
Tom Rawson and Charlie Crotty, Evolution Farming, Yorkshire
• Digital Innovator of the Year
Chris Franklin, Caenhill Countryside Centre, Wiltshire
David Hill, The Greatest Online Agricultural Show, Berkshire
Anna Jones, Just Farmers, Bristol
Jo Martin, Rural Business Network, Co Durham
• Diversification Innovator of the Year (Small to medium)
David and Felicity Brown, Hoe Grange Holidays, Derbyshire
Andrew and Jenny Jones, Rackery Retreat, Wrexham
Claire Kennerley, Gruff Outdoor Learning, Cheshire
Nicola Sanderson, Senwick Leisure, Dumfries and Galloway
• Diversification Innovator of the Year (Large)
Edward Dee, West Lodge Rural Centre, Northamptonshire
Patrick Deeley, Flower Farm, Surrey
Ben Hollins, Fordhall Farm Event Caterers, Shropshire
Tim and Kate Mason, Vale Training Services, Buckinghamshire
• Family Farming Business of the Year, sponsored by Morrisons
The Elliott family, Noborough Lodge Farm, Northamptonshire
The Hamilton family, Plurenden Manor Farm, Kent
The Hodgson family, Great Newsome Farm, Yorkshire
The Nicholson family, Cannon Hall Farm, Yorkshire
• Farm Worker of the Year, sponsored by ABN
Murray Craig, Swindale Foot Farm, Cumbria
Paul Evans, Aberbrwynen Farm, Ceredigion
Shaun Mckay, The Farm, Shropshire
Andrew Moss, Park Corner Farms, Gloucestershire
• Machinery Innovator of the Year
Chris Ecob, Nursery Farm, Oxfordshire
Falkiner Small, Cedar Lodge, Co Armagh
Gordon Stephen, Wagglehill Croft, Aberdeenshire
Paul Wilson, Leek Farm, Northumberland
• New Entrants Award: Against the odds, sponsored by KW
Martyn and Claire Eastham, Newhouse Farm, Dorset
Ben Lowe, Newseat Of Dumbreck Farm, Aberdeenshire
Rachel Yarrow and Fraser Norton, Earth Trust Farm, Oxfordshire
Ross and Kirsty Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Aberdeenshire
• Sheep Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Dunbia
Jeremy Durrant, The Hydes, Essex
John Howie, Girtridge Farm, Ayrshire
John Minary, Operation Bo Peep!, Yorkshire
• Farmers Guardian’s Farming Hero
This award recognises an individual or group of people who strive to make a positive difference to the lives of other people during times of uncertainty or adversity. They may also be campaigning to raise awareness to the wider industry and beyond. The winner will be announced on the evening of the awards.
• Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture, sponsored by NSF International
This award is designed to recognise one individual’s dedication to the farming industry; someone who has worked tirelessly for UK farming, through delivering innovation, championing the needs for farmers, spearheading change or promoting the industry to the wider public. The winner will be announced on the evening of the awards.
For more information about the awards evening visit www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk/awards-night
