The search is on for excellence in Devon agriculture as the sixth Devon Farm Business Awards were launched this week (Wednesday 16th January 2019).
The awards highlight the excellence and dynamism of farming in Devon at a time of great uncertainty within the agricultural sector. They are organised by the Addington Fund, the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) and supported by principal sponsor leading regional solicitors Stephens Scown LLP.
Sheila Cole, Chairman of Trustees of the Addington Fund said: “The Devon Farm Business Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that is great about Devon’s farmers. The Addington Fund is deeply committed to helping the farming community in Devon. 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, Devon County Agricultural Association 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 15th May”
Susie Murray, partner in the rural services team at Stephens Scown said: “Devon’s farmers make a huge contribution to our region and beyond. It is important that we share and celebrate that success. Farming is more than a job – it is a way of life. The Devon Farm Business Awards are the perfect way to recognise that endeavour and contribution and I would urge people to nominate themselves or a fellow farmer who is doing great things.”
Mrs Mary Quicke MBE, Chairman of the DCAA, said: “The Devon Farm Business Awards provides inspiring examples of how family farming businesses are rising to the challenges of today’s world. And this is so important, given the uncertainties that still surround the future. What we can be sure of, however, is that the best farming businesses, in terms of production efficiency, customer focus and environmental awareness, will survive and prosper whatever the future holds.
“By turning the spotlight on those businesses and highlighting the lessons they provide, the awards have a key role in equipping us for that future. The Devon County Show highlights the best of farming to farmers and the general public. The Show is a great place for the Devon Farm Business Awards to honour and acknowledge the best farmers in Devon.
‘’Not just the DCAA, but the industry as a whole in Devon and beyond, owes a great debt of gratitude to our sponsors for making the awards possible, with all the benefits they bring.”
Jacqui Lanning, 2018’s Best Woman in Farming and Devon’s Farmer of the Year shares how important the Devon Farm Business awards are: “The Devon Farm Business Awards are so important because they show how diverse farming in Devon is and the contribution we all make. Farmers are notoriously humble, but sometimes we have to go for it and put ourselves out there! We are an industry that deserves to be recognised and celebrated”.
Farmers and growers in Devon are invited to apply for one of the following categories:
• Best Commercial Farmer
• Best Woman in Agriculture
• Best Mixed Farmer
• Best Farm Processor
• Best Dairy Farmer
• Best Young Farmer
• Farming Champion
• Devon’s Farmer of the Year
Devon’s Farmer of the Year will be awarded from the category winners.
Entries close on 15th March 2019, with the winners being announced at a gala dinner to be held on the eve of the Devon County Show on Wednesday 15th May 2019 at the showground at Westpoint, Exeter.
Have you got what it takes to be Devon’s Farmer of the Year? Have a look on our website to find our nomination forms. Information about the awards, the various categories and how to enter can be found at www.addingtonfund.org.uk/events