New Farmers Weekly award celebrates agriculture’s Game Changers

Entries are open for Farmers Weekly Game Changers, a unique award created to mark the 20th anniversary of the flagship Farmers Weekly Awards by shining a light on agriculture’s pioneers from the past two decades.

The initiative aims to recognise that farming’s success is built on collaboration with a whole host of affiliated industries that help food producers continuously improve and keep the nation fed.

See also: New awards to celebrate women in agriculture

From classroom to science lab, supply chain to public sector, we want to honour individuals whose work is driving large and small changes that are shaping the future of farming.

Game Changers celebrates transformative ideas within agriculture. In an industry facing unprecedented challenges, such as cost pressures, climate change, resource constraints and evolving consumer demands, innovation and forward-thinking leadership are crucial.

We’re looking for individuals who have driven new technologies and strategies that have had a positive impact on food and farming in the past 20 years.

Nominees might be professionals, academics, researchers, environmentalists, scientists, or anyone else making significant contributions to the agricultural industry.

They could be actively farming, but what makes them Game Changers isn’t how well they grow crops or raise livestock, it’s how they are spearheading change that is helping to drive a resilient, sustainable sector.  

For example, a Game Changer could be a scientist who is tackling herbicide resistance or improving herd genetics.

They might be a farmer who has built an innovative piece of kit that’s gone mainstream, or someone who has devised a revolutionary approach to improving health and safety in the industry.

Perhaps it’s someone who’s created a new market, added value to a commodity in an ingenious way, or is a fantastic ambassador for UK food at a regional or national level.

They could be a standout champion for mental health and wellbeing, or an inspirational communicator who’s made an impact in a farming group or ag college.

How does it work?

Whether niche or mainstream, nominees will be evaluated on how they have helped overcome a challenge within the agricultural sector.

The emphasis is on individuals who deserve to be thanked for helping make food better or farmers’ lives easier.

Farmers Weekly will shortlist 10 Game Changers and profile them in the magazine and online over the coming months to showcase their achievements.

The 10 Game Changers will then be invited to take a bow at the Farmers Weekly Awards on 3 October at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

This event will bring together farmers, industry leaders and stakeholders – as well as the Game Changers themselves – for the biggest celebration in farming. One overall winner of this exclusive one-off category will be announced on the night.