The search is on for excellence in Cornwall agriculture as the eleventh Cornwall Farm Business Awards are launched this week. (09/01/2019).
The awards highlight the excellence and dynamism of farming in Cornwall at a time of great uncertainty within the agricultural sector. These Farm Business Awards are organised by the Addington Fund, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association and leading regional solicitors Stephens Scown LLP, the principal sponsors, to encourage and support British farming and the passion of those who keep agriculture ever evolving.
Sheila Cole, Chairman of Trustees of the Addington Fund said: “The Cornwall Farm Business Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that is great about Cornwall’s farmers. The Addington Fund is deeply committed to helping the farming community in Cornwall. Farmers are not great at singing their own praises, but these awards are a real chance for the county’s farmers to receive the recognition they so richly deserve. The trustees are very grateful for the ongoing support of Stephens Scown, The Royal Cornwall Show Ground and all the sponsors, which has contributed greatly to the success of the Awards. Following the success of previous years, we are pleased to continue to organise this event and we look forward to seeing you all on the 21st March”.
Phil Reed, partner and head of rural services at Stephens Scown said: “Farmers are notoriously reluctant to shout about their success, but that is exactly what we need to do. The Cornwall Farm Business Awards is our way of saying thank you and celebrating success. Please take the time to put yourself forward, or nominate another farmer who is doing great things. We need to give the sector the recognition it deserves for the enormous contribution it makes to all of our lives.”
Bill Young, CEO of the Addington Fund added: “Cornwall is very important for the Addington Fund as we have a really high presence here and it is therefore absolutely right that we should recognise the farming achievements of this great rural county. The Cornwall Farm Business Awards are now in the 11th year since their inception and continues to grow every year as we again, recognise the many outstanding agricultural achievers in the carefully chosen categories. We are indebted to the sponsors and the category entrants who continue to make this evening possible and it is great to see nearly all the sponsors returning this year to mark Cornwall’s stand out contributors in 2019.
“I was fortunate enough to attend the Awards for the first time last year and what an evening it was. I was really struck by the ambiance generated by the sell-out evening. The whole occasion was a total celebration of Cornish agriculture and associated industries which outshone many national events that I have attended in the past. The Addington Fund continues to have a high spend in Cornwall and we help more rural dwellers here than any other county. This is only possible through the generosity of individuals, societies and corporate sponsors who, through their efforts, help us function. We at the Addington Fund are totally committed to continue our work in Cornwall and we are working hard to fight rural depopulation and keep the next generation engaged and employed in sustainable rural activity. They are the lifeblood of the industry and it is vital that we invest in youth and their futures. I look forward to a record level of entries and to seeing you all on the night of Thursday 21st March.”
Farmers and growers in Cornwall are invited to apply for one of the following categories:
• Best Commercial Farmer
• Best Mixed Farmer
• Best Woman in Agriculture
• Best Farm Processor
• Best Dairy Farmer
• Best Young Farmer
• Farming Champion
• Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year
Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year will be awarded from the category winners.
Entries close on 22nd February 2019, with the winners being announced at a gala dinner that will be held on the 21st March 2019 at the Royal Cornwall Show Ground.
For information about the awards, the various categories and how to enter can be found at www.addingtonfund.org.uk/events