SOUTH West Farmer is proud to announce the inaugural South West Farmer Awards 2016 in association with insurance company Cornish Mutual.

The South West Farmer Awards celebrate all that the farming industry in this wonderful part of the country has to offer. The awards ceremony will take place in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, Somerset, the home of county cricket, on November 3, 2016.

There will be a number of categories including:

  • Farm Manager of the Year
  • Sheep Farmer of the year
  • Beef Farmer of the Year
  • Dairy Farmer of the Year l Arable Farmer of the Year
  • Outstanding Achievement of the Year
  • Green Farmer of the Year l Family Run Farm of the Year
  • South West Farmer Awards
  • Cornish Mutual will present their own special award on the night.

Each category nominee will have to meet set criteria, including enterprise performance, use of technology, environmental considerations, contribution to the community/agricultural industry and vision/marketing strategy.

All nominations will be judged by the panel of sponsors.

The South West Farmer Awards give the farming industry in the south west a chance to stand up and be recognised with an emphasis on future and forward-thinking farmers.

Supported by industry experts, the event gives local farmers, suppliers, breeders and everyone involved in the industry the recognition they deserve for the tremendous work they do throughout the year.

Have you, or do you know someone who has given 100 per cent and achieved great things this year?

Or someone who has made a difference to the face of farming over the last 12 months?

Details on how to enter will be posted on the South West Farmer’s website at southwestfarmer.co.uk and in next month’s issue of South West Farmer.

South West Farmer editor Elizabeth Perry said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the launch of the first South West Farmer Awards.

“We have a wealth of talent in the farming industry in the south west and these awards are an opportunity to honour the skills and experience from across the agricultural community.

“The awards ceremony promises to be a great night so make sure you are there to join us. I would also like to thank Cornish Mutual for agreeing to be our sponsors.”

Alan Goddard, managing director of south west insurance company Cornish Mutual, said; “For more than 100 years we have been dedicated to supporting the region’s farming community and we remain committed to our rural roots which is why it is fantastic to be able to support the South West Farmer Awards.

“This new event aims to showcase the dedicated and passionate work of the rural community to keep the industry thriving, and we are proud to be able to sponsor it.”