The Rural Awards are back to celebrate the best in agriculture

Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural The Farmer Rural Awards last year, the event is to return in October.

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Organised by The Farmer in partnership with the Shropshire Star, the 2025 awards saw nearly 200 people from the industry gather to celebrate what makes the region’s agricultural industry such a success.

This second annual celebration will honour the hard-working individuals, innovative businesses, and resilient organisations that form the backbone of our rural community.

While the awards are hosted with the Shropshire Star, the search for excellence extends across The Farmer's entire catchment area and we want to recognise the pioneers ensuring our rural economy and way of life continue to thrive.

From seasoned agricultural pioneers to innovative young farmers, the Rural Awards will celebrate the full spectrum of talent and dedication that makes our local countryside so vibrant.

The campaign will culminate in a glittering black-tie awards ceremony and gala dinner on Thursday, October 22, at Shrewsbury Town Football Club.

It will be a night for the entire regional farming community to come together, network and toast the winners selected by our independent judging panel.

Whether you are a long-standing family firm, an innovative start-up, or a farmer leading the way in sustainability, we want to hear from you. We invite all businesses and individuals across The Farmer’s entire readership area to enter and share your success stories. This is your platform to showcase your hard work, gain regional recognition, and celebrate your achievements alongside the best in the industry.

Again, the winners will be selected from a range of categories that celebrate all that is best of the county’s farming community; these range from Family Business of the Year, Farming Event of the Year to the much-coveted Farm of the Year award, and more.

These awards are made possible through the generous support of our category sponsors: WR Partners, Halls Holding, GS&PA Reeves, Berrys, Wynnstay, Dyke Yaxley, P & L Agri.

As with the inaugural The Farmer Rural Awards, there will be further opportunities for sponsorship at the 2026 Rural Awards, with businesses able to support one of the 12 categories as well as an opportunity to be headline sponsor.

Richard Williams, Editor of The Farmer said: “We are absolutely delighted to be hosting our second Rural Awards following the success of the inaugural event last year.

“There are many challenges faced by the farming community in Shropshire but there are many reasons to be positive about the region's world-leading agriculture that generates many stories of individuals and businesses who make rural life not only possible, but exceptional as the 2026 Rural Awards are set to show.”

Submit your entry online at www.farmerruralawards.co.uk by August 6, 2026.

For all enquiries, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact the event manager [email protected] or call 07837 308942.

The 2026 Rural Awards categories:

• Family Business of the Year
• Farm of the Year
• Farmer of the Year
• Young Farmer of the Year
• Farm Shop of the Year
• Agricultural Business of the Year
• Farm Diversification Award
• Sustainable Initiative Award
• Educational Initiative of the Year
• Farming/Rural Event of the Year
• Rural Accommodation of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award