ANNOUNCING THE FINALISTS FOR THE BRITISH FARMING AWARDS NEW ENTRANT OF THE YEAR 2024

For twelve years, the British Farming Awards has shone a light on the best in British Farming. During this annual event, Britain’s farming industry comes together to celebrate the achievements of its contemporaries.

The 2024 New Entrant of the Year finalists have been selected because they have successfully started their own farming enterprise within the last five years. This award seeks to shine a light on those farmers who have had no security of a family farm and have built an enterprise completely from scratch. These finalists have all worked towards achieving their goals despite not coming from an agricultural background and some have even left careers in other industries to pursue a dream to farm.

Finalists – New Entrant Award: Against the Odds – Sponsored by Massey Ferguson

Sam & Samantha Edwards – Edwards Farming Partnership

Edwards Farming Partnership is a livestock-based business in the heart of Dorset, originally set up as a hobby with just a handful of ewes grazing small pony paddocks. It has grown into a flock of more than 700 ewes producing prime lambs solely from a grazing and forage-based system. With an emphasis on producing lamb as cheaply as possible while keeping margins high and output maximised, the partnership has focused on genetics to enhance business performance. Operating entirely on grazing licenses, without buildings or fixed-base tenancies, they have created a flexible business model that allows for adjustment without significantly impacting performance.

The farm benefits from being in a good arable area, particularly within the Poole Harbour catchment, which has seen increased adoption of arable cover crops. This has been integrated into their business strategy, allowing them to graze around 750 acres of cover crops, including stubble turnips, forage rapes, and nitrogen-fixing clovers. This diverse grazing strategy helps meet the varying nutritional needs of different sheep age classes.

The Edwards’ chose to breed Highlander ewes, known for their strong genetic traits, which scan well, lamb easily, and produce prime lambs on grass alone. By switching to lambing all Dorset ewes in April, they have improved scanning rates and increased output while reducing labour costs associated with indoor lambing. Their reputation for producing quality stock has attracted grazing opportunities from other farms, further supporting their growth.

Despite initial challenges such as limited investment and access to funding, both Sam and Samantha have committed to their partnership, complementing each other’s skills, and making joint decisions. They are focused on sustainability and adaptability, with a commitment to demonstrating success as a new entrant into the market. Sam commented on their success in the awards, stating that, “In a difficult year, when we’ve felt everything is against us its the lift we needed”.

Dr Alisha Fuller-Armah – Deer Manor Gourmet Mushrooms

Deer Manor Gourmet Mushrooms began in 2022, starting from a small farmers’ market stall to supplying organic gourmet mushrooms to major retailers and Michelin-starred restaurants across the UK. The business operates on 6 hectares of land, utilising around 2,000 square feet of dedicated outbuilding space. Through innovative cultivation techniques that mimic natural growth conditions, Deer Manor produces high-quality mushrooms while prioritising sustainability and community engagement.

As the owner and chief mushroom farmer, Dr. Alisha Fuller-Armah leads the family-run enterprise, with her mother, Dr. Rose Fuller, playing a crucial role in daily operations and strategic planning. The business has created local job opportunities, including employing community members, and has developed educational initiatives such as a cookbook, virtual cookery school, and a curriculum for schools called “FungiUnearthed.” This commitment to education and community involvement has helped promote the importance of fungi and local food provenance.

Deer Manor is unique in its focus on sustainability, cultivating a diverse range of mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane and Freckled Chestnut, which are not commonly found in the UK. The journey from a self-taught kitchen operation to a significant player in the organic gourmet mushroom industry exemplifies resilience and innovation.

Looking ahead, Alisha aims to expand production capacity, enhance logistical infrastructure, and explore new product lines, including medicinal mushrooms. The potential for exporting mushrooms presents exciting growth opportunities, and the ongoing development of educational programs ensures the cultivation of a new generation of mushroom enthusiasts. Deer Manor look forward to continuing to grow within the agricultural and restaurant community.

Hannah Hetherington & Tom Martin – T&H Farming Ltd

The ambitious duo operates T&H Farming Ltd, a sheep farm in Norfolk County Council Farms Estate, which spans over 6,800 hectares of publicly owned agricultural land. Since taking over the farm in 2022, they have transformed it by introducing long-term herbal leys with diverse plant species, benefiting both livestock and the environment. Their Countryside Stewardship scheme aims to improve not only enterprise performance but also biodiversity, soil health, and overall farm sustainability.

The farm is running as a sheep enterprise alongside 2 acres dedicated to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Hannah and Tom’s innovative approach has led to significant improvements in lamb performance, with lambs reaching slaughter weight earlier when grazing mixed swards compared to traditional rye grass. They are dedicated to developing biodiversity on their farm, encouraging wildlife, and establishing environmental land management schemes.

Both Hannah and Tom have built their farming business from the ground up. After obtaining a long-term tenancy of 115 acres, they have expanded to 345 acres and established relationships with local farmers to graze an additional 4,000 acres of winter cover crops. Their goal is to grow their breeding ewe flock to over 1,000 while continuing to expand their store lamb enterprise. The pair responded to the news that they are finalists, stating that they are “over the moon that our hard work, determination and pure passion for what we do it being recognised”.

Also passionate about inspiring the next generation of farmers by promoting careers in agriculture to young people. They plan to host open days during lambing season and collaborate with local schools to create educational experiences related to farming. While facing challenges such as limited working capital, they leverage cover and catch crops grown by arable farmers to raise capital for their business. Their dedication to sustainability and innovation positions them well for future growth.

Hollie Blockley & George Sturla – Sturla Agricultural Services

Hollie Blockley and George Sturla manage Sturla Agricultural Services, focusing on sheep and beef production. With 100 Lleyn ewes crossed with homebred Beltex rams, they primarily lamb outside in April, utilising red clover silage for feeding. Additionally, they have 12 suckler cows that are fattened and sold in meat boxes, starting from bucket calves sourced from neighbouring dairy farms. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their forage-based feeding strategy.

The couple operates a direct-to-consumer meat business, which began with lamb boxes and has now expanded to include beef. They regularly participate in local farmers’ markets and have grown a loyal customer base eager to purchase quality meat directly from them. George works full-time as a Feed Sales Representative while also managing farm tasks, while Hollie works part-time as a Maths tutor, handling daily farm chores and managing the meat business.

Over the next five years, they aim to secure more land and resources to expand their operations and set up a pop-up farm shop, offering educational tours to local schools. Their focus on self-sufficiency and direct sales through their meat business allows them to stabilise finances and plan for growth.

Both Hollie and George have diverse backgrounds, with George studying Land Management and gaining practical experience in New Zealand, while Hollie worked in the NHS before transitioning to farming. Their adaptability and willingness to learn has driven their success, as they actively engage with their community through social media and educational initiatives. They are determined to overcome challenges related to land access and cash flow, demonstrating resilience and commitment to their dream of establishing a successful farm.

Owain Wyn Lewis

Starting his calf-rearing business in June 2023 at just 18 years old, Owain began with a minimal investment in hurdles, feeders, and 10 calves sourced from a local dairy farm. His passion for agricultural practices, particularly young stock, drove him to establish his own venture. After connecting with Warrendale Wagyu, he has rapidly scaled up his operations, currently rearing around 150 calves annually.

Owain primarily purchases Aberdeen Angus and British Blue calves, aiming to rear them to a healthy weight before selling them as weanlings in local markets. His collaboration with Warrendale Wagyu has helped him refine his practices and ensure high-quality, healthy calves are supplied to subsequent farms for further growth. He emphasises calf welfare, which is evident in the quality of animals he produces.

The business is run primarily by Owain, with assistance from his father, who helps with financial management and logistics. Owain’s ambition is to secure a larger space to expand his operations further, allowing him to turn his venture into a full-time career. He also seeks to invest in equipment like a skid steer and tractor to enhance his operational efficiency and explore contracting opportunities alongside calf rearing.

Having grown up with a strong interest in farming, inspired by his grandfather’s legacy, Owain has dedicated himself to establishing a successful business despite initial hurdles. His experience working on a local dairy farm provided him with valuable skills and insights into calf management. Owain is committed to continuous learning and adapting his practices to improve overall efficiency and productivity.

Owain has faced challenges related to access to land, capital, and age-related perceptions within the industry. However, his determination and willingness to work hard has allowed him to build a strong foundation for his business. He recognises the importance of establishing himself within the farming community and is eager to prove that young entrants can succeed in agriculture.

Taking place on October 17 at The VOX in Birmingham, the event will welcome industry professionals from across the country to celebrate British agriculture and the successes it has had this year.

Get your tickets here to celebrate with the finalists at The British Farming Awards: https://www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk/britishfarmingawards/en/page/table-packages