THE 2023 South West Farmer Awards Inspirational Women in Agriculture Award (sponsored by LocaliQ) was awarded to Emma Smith, from Wiltshire. 

Emma received the award at the South West Farmer Awards 2023 ceremony last November. 

Emma completed an MA in Children’s Publishing in 2020 and launched The Young Stock magazine in March 2021.

She also established the UK Hereford Youth in 2016, when she saw a need for practical training regarding the breed. The group now has more than 100 members and facilitates events and workshops nationally.

She took a team to New Zealand in 2020 to compete in the world Hereford Conference.

(Image: Newsquest)

After the awards, Emma said: “Winning the Inspirational Woman in Agriculture award is very humbling and super exciting. I feel very passionate about my work within the industry and am grateful to receive such an accolade, thank you!”

Emma was not from a farming background, but she completed a BSc at Duchy College in 2013. She was offered a private farm business tenancy in Wiltshire in 2015.

She worked hard to grow the pedigree Herefords and Ruby Reds and introduced beef Shorthorns in 2017. Emma also has her own foot trimming and semen collection business.