FARMING business have been honoured at a popular awards ceremony in Cornwall. 

The Cornwall Farm Business Awards 2024 winners were announced during the awards night at the Eden Project on October 10. 

There were seven trophies up for grabs this year, and more than 200 guests who enjoyed a meal and helped to raise money for the Addington Fund. 

Winners 

  • Cornwall Farmers of the Year (sponsored by Stephens Scown) - Peter and Jenny Olds, Cornhill Farm

Phil Reed at Stephen Scown said: “Every year, the judges come together to choose the ‘winner of winners’, and without fail, I’m astonished by the incredible diversity and success within Cornish farming. Cornwall is home to some of the most hardworking and innovative farmers in the UK, and as a firm, we’re honoured to sponsor the Winner of Winners, recognising and celebrating their remarkable achievements.”

  • Best Commercial Farmer (sponsored by Carter Jonas & AMC) - Peter and Jenny Olds, Cornhill Farm
  • Best Woman in Agriculture (sponsored by Azets Accountants) - Wendy Nicholas, Trevedra Farm
  • Best Dairy Farmer (sponsored by PKF Francis Clark) - Christopher Murley, Higher Bojewan Farm

  • Best Farm Processor (sponsored by Savills) - The Hutchings Family of Golden Cow Dairy
  • Rising Star (sponsored by Cornish Mutual) - Ben Thomas, Treveddoe Farm

Peter Beaumont from principal sponsor, Cornish Mutual added: “Cornish Mutual is proud to be a long-term supporter of Addington Fund and commend their inspirational work within our rural communities. We were delighted to once again be the principal sponsor of the Cornwall Farm Business Awards, an event that showcases the very best of Cornish farming.

“As part of our on-going commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers, we also sponsored the Rising Star Award and having seen the calibre finalists for this award, I can safely say that the industry is going to be in great hands.”

  • Farming Champion (sponsored by NFU) - Colin Dymond, West Penquite Farm

See the list of finalists here. 

Sue English, Addington Fund director, opened the awards ceremony. She was joined by Mary Adams, who is a tenant in an Addington fund home near Truro. 

Mary, who had turned 80 that week, told guests her story of how the charity provided her with a new home after her husband passed away and she was unable to carry on the tenancy.

"Sadly Mary’s situation is one we have seen many times," said Sue.

"A husband and wife who have been farming in partnership for many years and suddenly it’s all taken away. Thankfully, we were able to support Mary with her application for Addington housing and find her a new home.

“Cornwall is really important to Addington and I am so pleased that Mary was able to join us and share her story tonight. I hope it reminded our guests about our work and why our housing work is so vital to many.”

READ MORE: Deadline to buy tickets for South West Farmer Awards 2024

There was also a fundraising auction, run by Ross Collins at Lodge & Thomas, which raised more than £3,000. 

Addington Fund would like to thank the following businesses: 

  • Haines Watts and James Kittow for sponsoring and supplying the pork
  • Rodda’s for sponsoring the AV and supplying the clotted cream
  • Westcotts for sponsoring the drinks reception
  • Wildanet for sponsoring the programme
  • Strutt & Parker for sponsoring some of the drinks
  • Gavan Goulder for supplying professional images of the event