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Five NFU presidents to judge NEWBIE award for innovative new entrants

Applicants will have to demonstrate how they have been able to overcome barriers
"There is so much innovation occurring on new entrant farms – we hope that raising their profile this way will inspire others to join the sector and innovate."

National Farmers Union presidents from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have agreed to judge a new award for 'New Entrant Farm Business of the Year'. Minette Batters (NFU), Andrew McCornick (NFUS), Glyn Roberts (FUW), John Davies (NFU Cymru) and Ivor Ferguson (UFU) will meet to decide the winner in January 2019. 

The award is being offered by the European Commission-funded NEWBIE project (New Entrant netWork: Business models for Innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience in European agriculture), which is also offering the award in eight European countries. UK winners will get a chance to compare their farming innovations with Europe’s best new farmers.

Applicants will have to demonstrate how they have been able to overcome barriers such as access to land, labour, markets and profitability. Winners will get €500 towards the cost of training or an international visit, as well as an award plaque, farm video, and the chance to participate in a European new entrant conference with other award winners. They will also be profiled in the national press and at major farming industry events.

Dr Lee-Ann Sutherland, a research leader in the James Hutton Institute’s Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group in Aberdeen and leader of NEWBIE for the James Hutton Institute said: “We're delighted to have such high-level support from the farmers’ unions across the UK. New entrants are critical to the future of UK farming.

"There is so much innovation occurring on new entrant farms – we hope that raising their profile this way will inspire others to join the sector and innovate."

Award judge Glyn Roberts commented: “As a first generation farmer myself, I am aware of the difficulties and challenges new entrants face. It is an honour to be one of the judges of this prestigious award.”

UK steering group member Simon Gadd, chair of the NFU New Entrant Forum, added: “This is an opportunity to highlight the amazing work done by new entrants in an exciting and innovative industry. This brings together the chance to share experiences and new concepts within farming to help make the industry fit for the future.

"I hope to see new plans created that can be implemented on how best to prepare the next generation of farmers to ensure they are ready for an exciting future in the industry."

Applicants can be individuals or groups, and businesses should be established for between 2 and 10 years. To enter, prospective applicants need to register on the NEWBIE website and more information about the award is available on the NEWBIE project page. The deadline for applications is 15th November.

NEWBIE aims to build networks between newcomers, farm successors and their advisors across Europe, to increase the ability of farm successors and newcomers to agriculture to develop successful farm businesses.

Press and media enquiries: 

Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 (mobile).


Printed from /news/five-nfu-presidents-judge-newbie-award-innovative-new-entrants on 29/03/24 12:34:56 PM

The James Hutton Research Institute is the result of the merger in April 2011 of MLURI and SCRI. This merger formed a new powerhouse for research into food, land use, and climate change.