ENTRIES are open for a prestigious competition that celebrates and recognises innovation within the local agricultural industry.

The 2019 edition of the Duke of Cornwall’s Award is open to farms based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who operate successful diversification enterprises to supplement their core agricultural business.

The winner of the coveted award will receive a signed certificate and a cash prize, provided by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall, of £1000. The presentation will take place during this year’s Royal Cornwall Show on June 6-8.

The Flindall family from Chypraze Farm near Pendeen in west Cornwall were named as last year’s winner.

Inheriting a run down, unviable 140-acre farm in 2009, they have subsequently developed a multi-faced, sustainable business capable of supporting the family.

They established their own herd of Saddleback pigs and Hereford cattle and added further value by butchering, packing and selling their own meat direct to the public.

More recently the farm’s stunning coastal location has been utilised to their advantage and created a new, lucrative income stream.

A wedding venue, The Cornish Wedding Barn, was developed on the farm with the renovation of an unused, tumbledown granite dairy barn.

Previous award winners have also included a cheese maker, education facility and a specialist ATV machinery manufacturer.

Entries are currently being welcomed from any relevant individual, business or organisation, with nominations also accepted from third parties.

Sir Ferrers Vyvyan, Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association Vice Chairman and Duke of Cornwall’s Award judge said: “In all likelihood there has never been a time when more farmers have been considering diversification. Figures from Defra are staggering showing that over 70% of farms in the UK have now diversified in some way, generally to head off the risk of the uncertain times we live in.

“In Cornwall, always an innovative county, we are probably well ahead of the curve with a sheer historical determination to continue living as we have in our wonderfully beautiful county.

“Over the last seven or eight years the quality of the entries in this competition been extremely high. We look for a good business plan displaying business sustainability, we look for a quality product and we look as how the business has benefited and integrated with the farm. We do also bear in mind who would also benefit the greatest from the award, not only from the financial point of view but also from the associated PR. It’s always a tough decision as to who wins!”

Entry and nomination information can be found by visiting www.royalcornwall.co.uk/competitors, or request further details by calling 01208 812183 or email: info@royalcornwall.co.uk.

Entries for the Duke of Cornwall’s Award close on March 1.