Helen Stanier of Grey Leys Farm, Elvington, in line for top female farmer of the year accolade
A dairy farmer who spent years working in the food retail sector will learn on Tuesday if she has won the Farming Woman of the Year at the National Women in Agriculture Awards.
Helen Stanier, of Grey Leys Farm in Elvington, near York, has been nominated for Farming Woman of the Year by the York branch of Bishopton Vets, partly due to her work to help young people into the industry and encouraging farm placements and work experience.
The awards, judges of which include NFU Director General Sophie Throup, celebrate women across the UK food and farming industry who are going above and beyond, making things happen and inspiring others in the industry to create change.
Some 14 years ago, after working for the Cooperative, Helen returned to the family farm and works alongside her parents, David and Anne Shaw and husband Craig.
Having overcome the initial shock of re-entering the industry and with the support of Craig, who had no farming background, fifth-generation farmer Helen now manages the farm, which processes the herd’s milk on site.
The farm supplies award-winning Jersey milk to Longley Farm, sells locally via vending machines and through a milkman and wholesale to hotels, farm shops and high-end coffee shops in York and the surrounding area.
Helen has served on the NFU National Dairy Board and has a keen interest in the Jersey breed, of which she farms a herd of 245 and 200 followers.
She is also a member of the National Board for UK Jerseys as well as being the secretary of the North East Jersey Cattle Club. The farm is Red Tractor Farm Assured and committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040 – maintaining both high welfare and environment standards.
Her experience working in the supply chain and her participation in the Countryside Fund’s Fresh Start Dairy Academy for industry newcomers led to Helen’s firm belief in creating a more collaborative and supportive dairy industry.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony in London, she said: “I was very surprised, pretty overwhelmed, to be shortlisted is unbelievable.
"We take students from Bishop Burton and Askham Bryan agricultural colleges, nearly every year, so we’ve got apprentices on farm.
"We’ve got T-level students and also degree level students come to us. We’ve done that for many years now.
"Usually young people who don’t have farms of their own and are looking for some help to get into the industry.
"A lot of them have stayed here or gone on to work for different farms or government departments.
"The other reason I’m a bit different is because I have a disability which means I can’t physically do some of the things you would probably expect a dairy farmer to do themselves. Mum and Dad are here, and my husband, but I do need more workforce on farm to help me.
"When I started my career in food retail it was my industry placements that really got me going. It’s such an important part of education and especially higher education.
"You get the insights into the new thinking that they can bring from college. It does have its challenges. There are more breakages and you have to spend time with them, especially at the beginning, but usually it’s very worthwhile, especially when the students start taking their own responsibilities on and are passionate about what they’re doing.”