From producing food that their local community loves to buy, taking care of and encouraging nature on their farm, or spending time educating local children and opening up their farm, these 8 reflect the work done by farmers and growers across the country.
What they farm: Dairy farmer
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Where: Leicestershire
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Why were they nominated: 鈥淭he Clarke family produce and sell fabulous cheeses at their farm and are great ambassadors for British food and farming.
鈥淒avid conducts farm walks and takes the time to explain herd management, regenerative agriculture, and wildlife-friendly areas on the farm. When time permits, he also gives presentations to local groups which can include cheese tastings.鈥�
How does it feel to be nominated?
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鈥淚 was very proud when I was nominated. I am very flattered. We work very hard to produce the cheese which we make and it鈥檚 very important to us.鈥�
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What makes you proud to be a British farmer?
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鈥淚鈥檓 proud to be a British farmer because I think British farmers do a fantastic job of producing high quality food. I believe that we are forerunners at producing some of the best quality food in the world.鈥�
Hear from David:
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What they farm: Mixed livestock and arable farm
Where: Oxfordshire
Why were they nominated: 鈥�This is a farming family of heroes, as Chris works the farm with his wife, Naomi, and sons, Ben and Tom. Chris and Ben are on call fire fighters, and Tom has trained as a butcher. During Covid, Chris and Naomi started a community shop selling their meat, eggs and honey, and now sell at the local farmers' market too. They put up signs around the farm to inform the public about the crops they grow and help to clear roads from snow and fallen trees during bad weather. They welcome the annual 4 Farms Challenge mostly held on their land, raising money for charity.鈥澨�
How does it feel to be nominated?听
鈥淲e don鈥檛 consider ourselves to be farming heroes, we just love what we do. We love farming, producing food and being able to help our community. I think that farms are an important part of communities and it鈥檚 important that we get out there and do our bit.鈥�
What makes you proud to be a British farmer?听
鈥淚鈥檓 exceptionally proud to be a British farmer, we produce the best food in the world and in such a positive way that helps and supports the environment.鈥澨�
Hear from Chris:
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What they farm: Organic livestock farm
Where: Hampshire听
Why were they nominated: 鈥淕reat local family farm. We bought one of their turkeys last Christmas and it was the best turkey I've ever eaten. They have free range sheep, cows and turkeys, and the animals are well looked after. They also help maintain local heathlands.鈥� 听
How does it feel to be nominated?听
鈥淚t鈥檚 a fantastic surprise and I鈥檓 very proud. It鈥檚 important to educate the public on what we鈥檙e trying to achieve and gives us an opportunity to put something back into the community. We organise farm visits where children with additional needs learn a whole new skillset and broaden their horizons, and they really enjoy it.鈥� 听
What makes you proud to be a British farmer?听
鈥淭he fantastic environmental and welfare standards that we have, and the diversity of wildlife.鈥�
Hear from Ben:
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What they farm: Sheep and cattle farmer
Where: East Sussex
Why were they nominated: 鈥淔rank and his family are such knowledgeable farmers and custodians of the land. He is an outstanding advocate for beleaguered sheep famers and for the need for the UK to be as self-sufficient in food production as possible.
鈥淔rank added more permissive rights of way on footpaths so that visitors can wander freely across the majority of their farmland, and helps with community fundraising.鈥�
How does it feel to be nominated?听
鈥淚鈥檓 very pleased that someone appreciates what I鈥檝e been doing. Farmers are great supporters of local communities and we鈥檙e no different. I always try to promote the industry as much as possible, especially encouraging young people to consider a career in agriculture.鈥�
What makes you proud to be a British farmer?听
鈥淚鈥檓 proud because we produce such high-quality meat, which is in demand both locally and abroad. I always tell people that what we鈥檝e done runs on grass, as the natural grasses that we grow on the farm provide nutritious grazing for our livestock. It can only be a good thing that we produce more.鈥�
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What they farm: Livestock farmer
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Where: Devon
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Why were they nominated: 鈥淪tuart is a farmer, butcher and runs a fabulous farm shop on the edge of Dartmoor. His meat is home grown or supplied locally, and sustainability is his watchword.
鈥淚 have been putting Back British Food car stickers on his counter for some time, and when I asked him if he was happy for me to do so his response was, 鈥榖ring it on鈥�. He and the business deserve national recognition for the way they support the Devon community.鈥�
How does it feel to be nominated?听
鈥淚 feel very proud and humbled. I didn't expect anything like that and it was quite a surprise!鈥�
What makes you proud to be a British farmer?
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鈥淚鈥檓 proud to be a British farmer because I feel as an industry we do a fantastic job.鈥�
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What they farm: Dairy farm
Where: Cheshire
Why were they nominated: 鈥淭he whole family deserve an award 鈥� they have been providing the local community with farm fresh milk for nearly 70 years. His visits have been eagerly awaited by many lonely people over the years, as he is never too busy to chat with them and make them feel valued. The farm is a refuge for the local scout group and Heather, his wife, has been the scoutmaster for years.鈥�
How does it feel to be nominated?听
鈥淎s a family we feel very humbled to have been nominated. We are passionate about farming and producing a product of the highest standard that we supply directly to the consumer.
鈥淢any of our customers are family friends, and we feel our nomination is a nod to how much we are appreciated within our community. This is a great opportunity to engage in conversation about how wonderful our industry is and how grateful we are for their support.鈥�
What makes you proud to be a British farmer?
鈥淭here are many reasons I feel proud to be a British farmer. We are relied upon by so many within rural communities, whilst still feeding the nation. The daily interaction we have with our customers fills me with pride, they genuinely care about what we are doing and how outside influences affect our farm.鈥�
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What they farm: Mixed arable, sugar, horticulture and livestock farmer
Where: Norfolk
Why were they nominated: 鈥淭im is passionate about educating children about where their food comes from and career paths in agriculture. He brings food and farming to the classroom through the NFU鈥檚 Farmers for Schools programme and takes children on farm tours. He also keeps local public footpaths maintained and clears the roads from ice and snow in winter.鈥�
How does it feel to be nominated?
鈥淚 do this because I love it, I was overcome by people鈥檚 generosity for nominating me. I think it鈥檚 important to teach children where their food comes from so hopefully, they will buy local and British in future. I show them how I produce something for every meal, and I鈥檇 like to encourage more people to buy British and consider a career in agriculture.鈥�
What makes you proud to be a British farmer?
鈥淭he quality of produce that we produce 鈥� Britain grows the best food and it鈥檚 very sustainable.鈥�
Hear from Tim:
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What they farm: Mixed arable and sheep farmer
Where: South Derbyshire
Why were they nominated: 鈥淎my is helping to protect wildlife and encourage pollinators by farming through regenerative agriculture and environmental schemes. Amy is a District and County Councillor and introduced an ecology motion which is now a nature policy for her district council.鈥�
How does it feel to be nominated?听
鈥淚鈥檓 really humbled that I鈥檝e been nominated. I鈥檝e been doing environmental work on the farm for 17 years, and it鈥檚 part of how I live and farm every day. We鈥檙e here to be guardians of the land and we should always leave it in a better way than we find it.
鈥淚 love seeing all the wildlife through my wildlife corridors, woodlands, margins and hedgerows, and I want to protect that. If you鈥檝e got no pollinators, you鈥檝e got no food. We need more affordable, healthy food, and I believe that farmers are part of that.鈥�
What makes you proud to be a British farmer?听
鈥淚鈥檓 proud to be part of the British farming community, and that people are interested in what we do. You need a farmer three times a day and farmers are part of the solution to protecting the environment.鈥�
Hear from Amy:
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- Russell Abbot, Crag Pit Farm
- Brian and Patrick Barker, Lodge Farm
- Bill and Bridget Biddell, Hampton Estate
- Richard Bower, Lower Drayton Farm
- David Burnfield, Burnfield & Sons
- Jamie Burrows, Sandrigebury Farm
- David Clarke, Sparkenhoe
- Tom Coucher, Penrhiw Farm
- Stephen Crossman, Mill Farm
- Emrys Edwards, Gilfach Farm
- David Exwood, Westons Farm
- Chris Fenemore and family, Home Farm
- James Florey, Churchill Farm
- Paul Gluyas, Pencoose Farm
- Clive Handy, Hampen Farm
- Oliver Harrison, Brookhouse Farm
- Olly Harrison, Water Lane Farm
- Shaun Heap, Flowery Field Farm
- Edward Hitchcock, Pelham Farmers
- Chris Hogg, Stickley Farm
- Ben Hollins, Fordhall Organic Farm
- Lisa and Michael Kelsall, Farm on the Fell
- Billy King, Morrison and King
- James Kittow, Kilhallon
- Ben Kolosowski, Chitty Farm
- Frank Langrish, Ludley Farm
- Mark Lea, Greenacres Farm
- Stuart Luxton, Farmer Luxtons
- Ian and Clare Mainwaring, Oteley Farm
- Rebecca Mayhew, Old Hall Farm
- David Newman and Tracy Russell, Bucksum
- Danny Newton, Trevor Close Farm / Newton鈥檚 Dairy
- Tim Papworth, Papworth Farms
- John Pawsey, Shimpling Park Farm
- Richard Peace, Poplars Farm
- Deborah Phillips, Colleton Beef
- James Price, Perdiswell Farm
- Hugh and Tom Richardson, Wheelbirks Farm
- George Riddell, Fields Farm
- Matthew Roberts, Ty Draw Farm
- Andrew Robinson, Herne Manor Farm
- George Ross, Lawns Farm
- Jenny Shaylor, Gorsehill Abbey Farm
- Will Simkin and family, Essington Fruit Farm
- Michael Sly, Park Farm
- Barbara Smith, Slapton Manor
- Stephen Smith, Stocks Farm
- Stephen Solley, Solley鈥檚
- Simon Spence, Bank End Farm
- David Stuart, K Stuart and Sons
- Alan Sutcliffe, Pextenement Farm
- Ian Sweeting, Beckside Farm
- Jill Thorp, Stott Hall Farm
- Michael Timmis, Moor Farm
- Meryl Ward, Waddingham Grange
- Amy Wheelton, Wheelton Farming
- Fiona Wilshaw, Bates Farm
- Andrew Wint, Oakfield Farm