The shortlist has been announced for the first-ever National Women in Agriculture Awards, with the awards set to be handed out at a black-tie event in the members’ dining room of the House of Commons next month.
There are 12 categories covering a broad of skills and sectors across the agricultural industry and judged by a panel of female food and farming leaders including Tonia Antoniazzi MP.
Finalists include Eleanor Gilbert, better known as Berkshire Farm Girl, who is nominated Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Morrisons, and Agriculture Influencer of the Year, sponsored by Noble Foods. Eleanor was also a Young Farmer of the Year finalist in the National Arable and Grassland Awards.
Abi Reader, MBE, NFU Cymru Deputy President, is also a finalist in the Agriculture Influencer of the Year category, while Jill Hewitt, CEO of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, is a finalist in the Trade Organisation Woman of the Year category.
The judging panel is being chaired by Chloe Ryan, a food and farming journalist. “The response to these awards has been amazing, with over 200 women nominated. Whittling the entries down to the finalists has been incredibly difficult because so many brilliant women are making such a difference day in and day out to the industry. I have been moved by the stories of so many of those who have been nominated, and anyone on the shortlist has already made a significant achievement. I can’t wait to celebrate in May with all the winners.”
The 12 categories are:
- Sustainability Champion of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Farming Woman of the Year
- Supply Chain Woman of the year
- Rising Star of the Year
- Agricultural Influencer of the Year
- Agricultural Advisor of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Innovator of the Year
- Training and Education Woman of the Year
- Trade Organisation Woman of the Year
- Business of the Year
Nestlé is the principal sponsor of the National Women in Agriculture awards, alongside category sponsors Co-op, Dunbia, First Milk, Goodyear Farm Tires, HSBC, Morrisons and Noble Foods. To see the full shortlist go to www.nationalwomeninagriculture.co.uk.