Not easy to judge as farming industry shines at its best
The past few months have really showcased how many inspiring individuals and companies there are within the farming industry.
I say this because we’ve been lucky enough to be part of the judging process and awards ceremony for the British Farming Awards held last week, and it was made clear that we have some very talented and entrepreneurial people within the industry.
We judged the large diversification innovator category which encouraged ambitious individuals who have looked outside the box to secure a future for their farm business to apply.
The category criteria specified that applicants should demonstrate how their diversification had grown, alongside showcasing their vision, creative flair and ambition to make their business stand out from the crowd. And we weren’t disappointed.
From stunning wedding venues to forward thinking farm shops, the shortlisted applicants did not make the judging process easy. Each of the business owners was clearly passionate about their business and had embraced the opportunities available to them.
We’re in an era where it is no longer good enough to be doing what past generations have done. Our industry needs to be embracing new innovations and technologies and this is clearly what those who had been successfully shortlisted for this category have and are doing.
The Lambing Shed Farm Shop and Café was crowned as the worthy winner with the fact the diversification project still has the core farming business at its heart, and the knowledge and awareness founder Kathryn Mitchell communicated about current and future consumer trends being the main drivers behind this.
Both of these factors highlighted how sustainable the farm shop and the farm are and will remain going forward which, with all the uncertainty in the industry at the moment, can’t be sniffed at.
The afterparty of the British Farming Awards can only be described as one big grown-up young farmers party, and I am sure it has taken a while for some people to recover from the evening’s antics.
However, if there was one message to take away from this process it would be to ensure we are supporting and encouraging forward thinking individuals and companies within our sector. Surely there is no such thing as a bad idea.
Hannah Moule, Moule & Co
