FIVE farms have been selected for the shortlist in a top competition. 

After the first round of judging, five farms are competiting for the title in the Soil Farmer of the Year 2024 competition. 

The shortlisted farms are as follows: 

  • Charles Quick from A&C Quick, Devon
  • David Newman and Tracy Russell from Bucksum at Shabbington Fields Farm, Buckinghamshire
  • Ed Horton from SS Horton & Sons, Gloucestershire
  • Andy Wear and Jen Hunter from Fernhill Farm, Somerset
  • Ben Richards from Middle Trelan Farm Ltd, Cornwall

Stuart Johnson is the 2023 Soil Farmer of the Year winner, and now a judge for the 2024 competition. 

“The level at which this year's applicants are functioning at has been incredibly impressive, the competition seems to get stronger and stronger each year,” he said. 

“The selection process has been incredibly difficult so far, and I'm sure that will only get trickier once we get onto the farms and see all their fantastic endeavors up close and personal.”

There will be a second round of judging, which involves a farm visit, and the winners will be announced at Groundswell 2024 (June 26/27). 

The Soil Farmer of the Year competition is run by Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture, and is sponsored by Cotswold Seeds and Hutchinsons.

The competition finds and champions farmers who lead the way in improving soil health and increasing the resilience of their farm business. The top three farmers will receive a voucher for seeds provided by Cotswold Seeds, as well as free entry to Groundswell.