Winners named in inaugural Women in Agriculture Awards

Twelve women have been honoured as winners in a new awards scheme which aims to recognise and reward women in agriculture.

The first ever National Women In Agriculture Awards was a spectacular black tie event held in the members dining room of the House of Commons on 9 May 2024.

This prestigious venue was chosen to reflect and celebrate the valuable work women in agriculture do.

Former NFU president Minette Batters collected the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Co-op, to a standing ovation and lengthy applause.

See also: New awards to celebrate women in agriculture

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Batters said she had always thought about younger women throughout her career, and the role models those in more senior positions could provide.

Her award was one of 12 covering a broad range of areas where women are making their mark on the agriculture industry.

The awards were judged by a panel of female food and farming leaders who know the industry inside out, including Tonia Antoniazzi MP, a prominent supporter of agriculture.

The evening was hosted by comedian Jo Caulfield, and guests celebrated into the early hours.

Fitting tribute

The judging panel was chaired by Chloe Ryan, a food and farming journalist. She said: “­The first National Women in Agriculture awards was a wonderful celebration and a fitting way to mark the achievements of all who won. Congratulations to the winners!”

Other winners on the night were Julie Eccleston of Traditional Norfolk Poultry, who won the award for Supply Chain Woman of the Year, sponsored by Goodyear Farm Tires, for her instrumental role in growing business over 17 years.

The Employer of the Year award was won by Poultry Health Services, a poultry veterinary company created by Sara Perez in 2018, whose passion and determination to develop young women within the business shone through.

Ms Perez currently leads a team of 25 vets, of whom more than half are female vets from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

Bovine TB vlog

NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader (centre) collecting the Agricultural Influencer of the Year and Farming Woman of the Year Awards

Abi Reader, a third-generation dairy farmer of Goldsland Farm, Glamorganshire, was a double award winner, being named Agricultural Influencer of the Year, sponsored by Noble Foods, and Farming Woman of the Year, sponsored by Nestle UK & Ireland.

Ms Reader’s vlog of her experience tackling bovine TB helped communicate the devastating effect of the disease to a wide audience, and her campaigning spirit has helped amplify farming voices in her native Wales and beyond, judges said.

Agricultural Advisor of the Year went to Ruth Farrell, of DJM Consulting, who is an independent rural business consultant, chartered surveyor, and agricultural valuer. She is also the youngest rural arbitrator in England and Wales.

The Innovator of the Year award, sponsored by Dunbia, went to Jenna Ross, the creator of the magnificently named SlugBot. She currently works for the UK government-funded Agri-Tech centres, bringing together leading scientists, farmers, and advisors.

The Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Morrisons, was Eleanor Gilbert, whose passion for farming was clear.

She combines working on a fifth generation family farm with her studies at Harper Adams University, and also finds time to run innovative crop trials, write for farming magazines and put in the occasional appearance on BBC’s Countryfile.

Kay Helyar, of the DPJ Foundation, was named Training and Education Woman of the Year, sponsored by First Milk, and the award was accepted by the charity’s founder Emma O’Sullivan.

The DPJ Foundation is a truly inspiring charity, providing mental health help and support to farming people. Ms Helyar has helped deliver training to over 1,500 people since she joined the charity in 2016.

Quality Meat Scotland winner

Quality Meat Scotland’s Sarah Millar (centre) collecting the Trade Organisation of the Year Award

Sarah Millar, of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), was named Trade Organisation Woman of the Year.

As chief executive of QMS, Ms Millar invited every politician in Scotland on to a farm in the six weeks leading up to COP26 to talk about food and farming, and has also been instrumental in developing a red meat net zero roadmap.

The Sustainability Champion award, sponsored by HSBC UK, went to Olivia Shave of Ecoewe. As part of her dedication to low impact farming, Ms Shave is a passionate custodian of the land.

Her business makes use of every part of the animal, including producing rugs and jumpers with zero waste.

The Business of the Year award went to Pinstone, a PR and marketing business serving the food, farming and environment sector, led by women and with a largely female staff.

It is excellent at what it does, and helps communicate the work of agricultural businesses to a wider audience.

The awards scheme was organised by Mark Allen Group, which is the publisher of Farmers Weekly and organises other farming events including the National Pig Awards, National Egg & Poultry Awards and the National Arable & Grassland Awards.