The Yorkshire Post Rural Awards 2026: Full list of finalists revealed

This year, the awards are set to mark their tenth anniversary by heralding the cream of the region’s exceptional work, ideas, initiatives, successes and commitment in the countryside.

The awards honour the best of what is happening whether on a farm, in the community or any kind of organisation.

This year’s awards headline sponsor is Nufarm, based at Wyke, Bradford, which is one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of crop protection solutions and speciality seeds.

A spokesman for the firm said: 
“Nufarm, congratulates the finalists of the Yorkshire Post Rural Awards 2026. As an industry leader in crop protection and seed solutions, Nufarm is proud to support these awards for the third year running, underscoring our commitment to innovation in agriculture and supporting the rural community across the UK.”

Following the success of last year’s event, the awards will once again see inspirational individuals and groups challenging for 16 categories, including eight farming awards.

The event at the Pavilions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground in October, which will be hosted by farming writer Chris Berry, will see the awarding of titles for Dairy, Cattle, Pig, Sheep, Poultry, Arable, Mixed Farm and Rare Breed farms.

Other awards will include Farm Shop, Environmental Initiative, Educational Initiative, Farming or Rural Event, Rural Accommodation, Rural Business and Agricultural Innovator of the Year.

The latter category, created by Nufarm, celebrates individuals, businesses, or organisations driving forward- thinking solutions in farming. 
It recognises those who embrace cutting edge technology, sustainable practices, and novel approaches to improve efficiency, productivity, and environmental stewardship in agriculture.

Finally, the Rural Rising Star of the Year award will recognise a farmer, entrepreneur, or agricultural professional under the age of 35 showcasing passion, innovation, and dedication to farming or rural enterprise and demonstrating the drive and potential to shape the future of Yorkshire’s countryside.

Last year’s awards saw judges narrow down the finalists from more than 100 entries. Studdah Farm in Wensleydale scooped both the Overall Farm and Dairy Farm titles, while Barnburgh Farming, near Mexborough, landed the Arable Farm title and Treebridge Farm, near Stokesley received the Cattle Farm accolade.

The Yorkshire Post Rural Awards 2026 black tie awards dinner will be held at the Pavilions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Thursday, October 22.

Tickets for the event can be booked online at: www.yorkshirepostrural
awards.co.uk

Agricultural Innovator - sponsored by Nufarm

Heather Challis, Studfold

Philip Parkin of Parkin Butchers, Howden

Rebecca Wilson of Hunday Field Farm, Grafton

Richard Barker of North Lingy Moor Farm, Moulton, Richmond SealStop

TwoCan Mentor

Educational Initiative

Craven Cattle Marts – Apprenticeship Initiative

Farmyard Friends Day Nursery Ltd

Ian’s Mobile Farm @ Nanny Goat Farm, Aberford

Schools Vegetable Box competition, Yorkshire Agricultural Society

The Hildreths of Grasslands Farm, Rufforth

Farm Shop

Brunswick Shop

Sledmere House

The Egg Shed Farm Shop

The Hildreths of Curlew Fields Farm Cafe & Shop, Hessay

The Ribys of Stonehills Farm Pantry

Trotters : Paul Bradley & Jonathan Cooper of Gladvic Farm, Sherburn

Environmental Initiative

Alan & Colin Price of Long Bank Farm, Keasden, Clapham

Liam McPartland of Hornington Manor, Bolton Percy (Harrison Spinks) Mike Powley of Oak House Farm, Green Hammerton

Swaledale & Wensleydale Environmental Farmers (SWEF)

The Telfit Farm Project : Oliver & Lucy Leatham of Telfit Farm, Marske The Wolds Project with Lawrence & Jennie Tatlock

Rural Accommodation

Dumble Farm

Swinton Bivouac, Swinton Estate

The Fell Hotel, Burnsall

The Metcalfes of Usha Gap Farm & Campsite

West End Farm Holidays

Rural Business

British Wool

Craven Country Ride @ Pot Haw Farm, Coniston Cold

Horncastle Farm and the Tatie Shed

Milk from the Hills at Kidfield Farm, Hoylandswaine

Studfold ‘The Nidderdale Experience’

Stump Cross Caverns

The Padel Farm

The Platts of Sandhall Farm, Skelton, Goole : Lister’s Crisps

Rural or Farming Event

Blooming Sheep at High Snape Farm, Kirkby Overblow

FarmTrax Music Festival @ Farmer Copley’s, Ravensknowle Farm, Pontefract Hearty Fest @ Yorkshire Heart Vineyard, Nun Monkton

The Barn That Rocks @ Grazing Nook Farm, Patrick Brompton

Yorkshire Farming Conference by Yorkshire Agricultural Society

Arable Farm

James & Sarah Broadwith of Red House, Kirklington

James Kilby of Espersykes Farm, Old Malton

John Aynsley of Skelton Estate (Low House Farm, Stanghow)

The Platts of Sandhall Farm, Skelton, Goole

Cattle Farm

James & Sarah Broadwith of Red House, Kirklington

John Aynsley of Skelton Estate (Low House Farm, Stanghow)

Mike Powley of Oak House Farm, Green Hammerton

Rebecca Mountain & Lewis Yates of Far Cringles Farm, Silsden & New York Farms Robert Raper of Low Hill Farm, Thorne

Dairy Farm

Ian Hutchinson of Cockbush Farm, Ingleby Arncliffe

The Emmotts of Gunthwaite Hall Farm, Gunthwaite

The Housemans of Prospect Farm, Lindley

Tom & Ruth Clapham of Bolton Hall Farm, Wensley

Mixed Farm

Glenn Brown of Hilltop Farm, North Grimston

Richard Barker of North Lingy Moor Farm, Moulton, Richmond

The Carlisles of Coxons Farm, Cracoe

The Emmotts of Gunthwaite Hall Farm, Gunthwaite

The Falshaws of Shaws Farm, Swinton

Pig Farm

Acaster Pedigree Pigs

Daniel Thackray of Prospect House Farm, Fewston

Isabel Soar of Bank House Farm, Pudsey

Jim Farrington of Beechwood Farm, Shipton by Beningbrough

Trotters : Paul Bradley & Jonathan Cooper of Gladvic Farm, Sherburn

Rare Breeds

Acaster Pedigree Pigs

Jim Farrington of Beechwood Farm, Shipton by Beningbrough

Liam McPartland of Hornington Manor, Bolton Percy (Harrison Spinks)

The McCandless Family at Green Tree Farm, Harton

The Ryders of Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses

The Shipley Family of Glebe Farm, Brandesburton

Sheep Farm

Breaks Fold Farm

Richard Bamforth of Manor House Farm, Denby Dale

The Douthwaites of High Snape Farm, Kirkby Overblow

The Metcalfes of Usha Gap Farm

The Smith Family of Windleden Farm, Dunford Bridge

Rural Rising Star

Alicia Martin, Frontier Agriculture

Heather Challis, Studfold & Halfway House Farm

Henry Wainwright, The Flower Belt, Sproxton Hall Farm

James Bailey, Abbott’s Close Farm, Sutton, Thirsk

Lizzy Elgie, Stephensons Rural

Mason Dibb of North Yorkshire Reindeers, Masham

Ollie Seage, Swinton Estate

Rebecca Mountain & Lewis Yates, Far Cringles Farm, Silsden & New York Farms Robert Raper of Low Hill Farm, Thorne

Rosie Garth, Peaks View, Bentham

Sarah Roberts, Silverhill Farm, Aberford

Stephen Frankland, Willen Tree Farm, Tatham, Bentham