FOLLOWING the success of the inaugural Three Counties Farming Awards, sponsors have again thrown their weight behind the drum-beating event for local agriculture.

The 2020 awards are being held once again in partnership with the Royal Three Counties Show, and entries are now invited to be made in 12 farming categories.

Awards up for grabs will celebrate the region’s iconic fruit, hop and cattle farming as well as sheep, pig, poultry and arable farmers and enterprises that stand out for their conservation practices.

The popular family-run farm, young farmer, farming hero and farming contractor categories have all returned too, as well as an award for outstanding achievement.

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The awards are organised by the Three Counties Farmer newspaper (a stablemate of the Hereford Times) and celebrate the unsung heroes of the farming industry across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

The culminate in a black-tie gala dinner of locally sourced produce and an awards ceremony on June 11 next year – the eve of the Royal Three Counties Show – at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

Awards organiser Sue Griffiths said: “The Three Counties Farmer monthly publication has launched its second annual farming awards after a highly successful inaugural event.

“It is looking for nominations to honour the dedicated professionals of the local farming industry who help feed the nation and grow the local economy.

“Normally, they toil long and hard without much recognition. But not now. The Three Counties Farming Awards unapologetically delivers some pomp and ceremony to recognise and reward the fantastic work going on in the agricultural sector across the region.”

The awards had been due to be announced at the Malvern Farming Conference on November 14 by BBC Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson, but the annual event was cancelled due to flooding on the roads.

The farming champion and Cotswolds farmer had planned to say the awards “will be a celebration of all that is good about our notoriously challenging industry.

“This will be a chance to throw the spotlight on local farmers and farm workers, a group of people, who, as you know, are not prone to courting publicity. It is high time recognition was given to these unsung heroes of our three counties.”

Sue added: “So, if you are a farmer, agricultural business or contractor who feels they have done something worthy of praise this year, or you know of someone who deserves special recognition, then please fill out a nomination form.”

Entry is easy, all you need to do is follow the link below and fill out the nomination form, which has been designed to capture all the key points required to put before an expert panel of judges.

The awards up for grabs are:

• Pig Farmer of the Year

• Sheep Farmer of the Year

• Farm Conservation project of the Year

• Cattle Farmer of the Year

• Family Run Farm of the Year

• Young Farmer (under 26) of the Year

• Poultry Farmer of the Year

• Arable Farmer of the Year

• Farming Contractor of the Year

• Fruit/Hop Farmer of the Year

• Farming Hero

• Award for Outstanding Achievement

As well as recognising local farmers, the awards will raise money for charity, the Addington Trust, which helps find homes for farming families that have had to leave the industry.

As well as partner sponsor the Royal Three Counties Show, other local businesses involved in the agricultural sector, who bring knowledge and expertise, are also supporting the 2020 awards.

They include, so far, the Countryside Restoration Trust, Cupid Events, mfg Solicitors, Western Power, Belmont Equine and Farm Vets, Strutt & Parker, Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors, Gloucestershire Root Fruit and Grain Society and the National Sheep Association.