TWO young farmers in the south west were runners-up in this year's National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) Achiever Awards. 

Sophie Goodwin from Cornwall was a runner up in the New Member of the Year category and Somerset's Bay Bardwell was a runner up in the YFC Supporter of the Year. 

Nearly 500 young farmers, supporters and alumni gathered at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham for the event on Saturday (November 2), which was hosted by NFYFC President John Lee OBE DL, and supported by well-known names in agriculture.

The New Member of the Year category was judged by author Hannah Rusell, interim CEO of BASIS Corrina Urquhart and former Youth Forum Chair Zoe Stanbury. 

The judges said that Sophie is a 'much valued' member of St Columb Young Farmers. 

They added: "Sophie got the YFC bug really quickly and has thrown herself into everything. She’s been nicknamed the St Columb Club Mum. 

"She took on the role of treasurer in her first year and has helped organise meetings, even bringing in guest speakers." 

The YFC Supporter of the Year category was judged by farmer Holly Atkinson (@cups.on.cows), NFYFC Treasurer Frank Chester and NFYFC Competitions Vice Chair Eleanor Gassor. 

Bay has been involved in YFC for more than 45 years. The judges said it was 'clear to see her passion for YFC'. 

They added: "We loved hearing about the ways she has been mentoring and supporting members through training and roadshows, on topics as varied as meeting planning to competitions.

"She takes pride in building young people’s confidence and views her support as a way to give back after her own positive experience as a member.

Winners and runners up

  • Heart of YFC Award –  Ceridwen Edwards, Clwyd. Runner up: David Harvey from Northumberland.
  • Young Farmer of the Year, sponsored by the Farm Safety Foundation – Hector Meanwell, Cumbria. Runner up: Robbie Tuer from Cumbria.
  • Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by KUHN -  Hannah Davies from Leicestershire & Rutland YFC. Runner up: Alicia Showering from Cambridgeshire.
  • Community Spirit Award – Llanwyryfon YFC, Ceredigion. Runner up: Raughton Head YFC from Cumbria.
  • Club of the Year, sponsored by CFMOTO - Ashford and District YFC, Kent
  • YFC Supporter of the Year, sponsored by Isuzu UK - Linda Kinston, from Leicestershire & Rutland. Runner up: Bay Bardwell from Somerset.
  • New Member of the Year - Sam from East Riding of Yorkshire. Runner up: Sophie Goodwin from Cornwall.
  • Aspiring Rural Leader, sponsored by Savills - Tom Harrison, Staffordshire. Runner up: Leah Bevan from Glamorgan.

This year’s Young Farmer of the Year was chosen by Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, stars of ITV series Fletchers’ Family Farm.

Kelvin Fletcher said: “All the finalists represent exactly what the industry is, what it can be and what it should be. They personify what the industry is. It’s varied, it’s for everyone, there’s opportunity and there’s optimism. It’s such an exciting time to be part of it.

“The unique thing about Hector is that people like him don’t come along very often. He’s an entrepreneur, he’s got spirit. He will do things on a huge scale. I’m buzzing about the future of farming if it looks like Hector. He’s hard working, passionate, willing to be transparent and open with people that doubt the integrity of his work and brings them on board. I think that’s fantastic.”

READ MORE: NFYFC's YFC Achiever Awards finalists are revealed

The awards, which were first launched in 2020, are a way of recognising and rewarding members of Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) for the work they do in the community, for enterprising initiatives and for helping to develop other rural young people. 

Drew Bailey, Chair of NFYFC Council, added: “We had an amazing evening celebrating some outstanding individuals involved in our organisation. From inspiring leaders and supporters to the young people who are boosting our rural economy – there was so much to feel proud about.

“Being part of a Young Farmers’ Club offers so many opportunities and our winners demonstrated what can be achieved from getting involved. Congratulations to them all.”