WHAT an amazing night! And well done to all our brilliant winners. 

The South West Farmer Awards 2023 were a huge success last night (November 9). Farmers and agricultural workers from across the South West joined us at the Somerset County Cricket Club for a night filled with delicious food, lots of drinks and most importantly... celebrating some of the wonderful people who help to put food on our table. 

The evening began with a three course meal, and was followed by the awards ceremony where 12 deserving people were given their awards. 

Rob Venner, of Greenslade Taylor Hunt, was the host for the evening and there were various sponsors handing out awards for each category - Young Farmer of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Diversification Award, Beef Farmer of the Year, Dairy Farmer of the Year, Sustainable Champion, Family-run Farm of the Year, Sheep Farmer of the Year, Tenant Farmer of the Year, Inspirational Women in Agriculture, Outstanding Achievement and finally, the South West Farmer of the Year. 

To see the finalists in each category, click here. 

There was also a raffle in aid of the Farming Community Network (FCN), which managed to raise more than £600 for the charity. 

Stephen Dennis, South West lead for the FCN, said a few words before the raffle was drawn, highlighting the importance of supporting the young generation and looking after one another.

He ended the evening with some poigniant parting words: "We would not eat if it wasn't for our farmers, we would not drink if it wasn't for our farmers. We need to appreciate who we are and value each other. We are a farming family so we need to look after each other. Don't feel like any of you tonight aren't winners, you are setting a standard that is above the norm, so well done to you and thank you to all that you are doing and the standards you are setting."

The night was organised by Newsquest and in particular, Roland Ebert, who work hard to coordinate the awards. 

You can find pictures as well as short biographies from each of the award winners in the December 2023 edition of South West Farmer (out November 29).