The Rural Business Awards were established in 2014 with the aim to acknowledge and celebrate the vital contributions made by companies to the development and success of the rural sector throughout the country. Founded by countryside based business women Jemma Clifford and Anna Price, the Rural Business Awards are judged by an independent panel drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.

Frogmary Green Farm in South Somerset has been named national runners up in the national award for Outstanding Rural Diversification Project, after being named regional winners last October. The farm offers a diverse range of farming and business operations, all of which are intrinsically linked by respect for the environment and sustainable activity.

Nick and Claire Bragg inherited the farm in 2006 and have worked relentlessly to shape it into the business that it is today. Nick said: “We were truly honoured to have received the regional award for Outstanding Rural Diversification Project and to receive further recognition at the national final of the awards is a great achievement for us and our team. Living and working in rural industries is challenging and our experience has taught us that you have to be ready to react to change. At Frogmary Green Farm we have looked for ways to enhance what we do by inviting our community to take part in it, whether it’s through education for school children at The S.H.E.D, our on-farm classroom, learning new cookery skills on one of our courses or bringing businesses together at our conference centre".

‘We have always kept community matters in mind when deciding how to diversify and we give back when we can with free family events throughout the year. We enjoy growing and changing for the better with respect for the environment and sustainable activity is at the heart of everything we offer”.

The latest project on the farm, in partnership with Tony Benger Landscaping of Axminster, seeks to welcome more wildlife and biodiversity with the expansion of the existing arboretum with an extra five acres of additional lawns, trees, shrub beds and wildflower areas. Wishing to welcome more visitors to the farm, the expansion also includes an amphitheatre, which will be host to open air concerts and performances in the future and will create further opportunities for the community to come together.