THERE is just under a month left to enter this year's Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) Awards. 

Farmers, landowners, advisors, researchers and industry professionals can now submit their applications for the six awards. There are options for both self-nominations and reccomendations.

These awards include: Natural Agricultural; Excellence in Practical Farming; Natural Capital; Farm of the Future; Science and Technology and the Bledisloe Gold Medal for Landowners. The Bledisloe Gold Medal was first presented in 1958. 

CEO of RASE, David Grint, said: “The agricultural industry is grappling with the challenge of producing sufficient quantities of nutritious food using practices that are sustainable, viable and profitable. 

“Shining a light on those who are finding and implementing approaches that enable farming businesses to thrive enables others to hear about and consider options that could work for their farming businesses. 

“RASE was founded by a group of people who recognised the need for science to support the development of agriculture. Today, it’s fair to say that the agricultural industry has never needed science and innovation more, as farming practices and land management shift to deliver food production, climate change mitigation and ecological benefits simultaneously.”

Applications for the RASE awards are open until Wednesday, April 17 2024. To apply, click here. 

New for 2024, there is the RASE Natural Capital award. This will recognise farmers who are striking a balance between sustainable agricultural practices, ecological enhancements and financial resilience.

The award is being sponsored by Trinity Natural Capital Pro Council. Representing the council, Dr. Hosein Khajeh-Hosseiny from Trinity AgTech said: “Natural capital has been the least rewarded of all assets relative to its economic and social contributions.

“The new era of the Natural Capital Century will see a shift where farmers who embrace natural capital and food production are rewarded for their contribution to our sector and society.

“The new Natural Capital Award celebrates those who have broken through the paralysis and are exemplifying excellence in farming and sustainability."