IT’S official nominations for this year’s South West Farmer Awards 2017, in association with Cornish Mutual, are open.
Following on from the huge success of last year’s inaugural awards, this year’s event will be held on November 2, 2017 at the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, Somerset, the home of county cricket
The South West Farmer Awards celebrate all that the farming industry in this wonderful part of the country has to offer, and to recognise this fact we have added three extra categories to this year’s awards. 
They are:

  • Farmhand of the Year
  • Organic Farmer of the year
  • Innovation Award

The other categories are:

  • Farm Manager of the Year
  • Sheep Farmer of the Year
  • Beef Farmer of the Year
  • Dairy Farmer of the Year
  • Arable Farmer of the Year
  • Outstanding Achievement of the Year
  • Green Farmer of the Year
  • Family Run Farm of the Year
  • Young Farmer of the Year
  • Farmhand of the Year
  • Organic Farmer of the Year
  • Innovation Award

Each category nominee will have to meet set criteria, including enterprise performance, use of technology, environmental considerations, contribution to the community/agricultural industry and vision/marketing strategy.
All nominations will be judged by the panel of sponsors. The South West Farmer Awards give the farming industry in the south west a chance to stand up and be recognised with an emphasis on future and forward-thinking farmers.
Supported by industry experts, the event gives local farmers, suppliers, breeders and everyone involved in the industry the recognition they deserve for the tremendous work they do throughout the year.
Alan Goddard, managing director of south west rural insurance company Cornish Mutual, said; “We are delighted to support the South West Farmer Awards once again. Last year’s awards evening was a fantastic celebration of the dedication and passion of the rural community that keeps the industry thriving. For more than 100 years we have been committed to supporting the region’s farming community and we remain faithful to our rural roots, which is why we feel initiatives like this are so important.”
South West Farmer editor Paul Armstrong said: “We were delighted with the huge success of last year’s South West Farmer Awards. The awards recognise the immense contribution farmers in the south west make to the UK economy and their local community. Farmers are at the forefront of cutting edge technology and innovation and we want to reflect that pride in our region.
“Nominations are open now so make sure you get hold of one of the nomination forms either in the South West Farmer newspaper, download at the southwestfarmer.co.uk or look out for them at agricultural shows in the south west throughout the summer.” 
Coodes Solicitors are sponsoring Young Farmer of the Year, Mole Valley sponsor Family Run Farm of the year and Natural Generation sponsor Green Farmer of the Year. Cornish Mutual will also sponsor Outstanding Achievement.
To nominate for any of the above categories simply go to southwestfarmer.co.uk/awards and fill in the online nomination form.

We look forward to seeing the nominations come in. The closing date for nominations is Friday, September 1.