Addington Fund finds out the positive affects winning the Cornwall Farm Business Awards has on farmers and their farm businesses
Rebecca Tonks from St Ewe Eggs with Mike Pennington from Savills, Best Farm Processor Sponsor
The nomination process for the Addington Fund Cornwall Farm Business Awards has closed and now the judging process for the next lot of farming category winners has begun, the Addington Fund spoke to a couple of last year’s winners to reflect upon their shining star finalist moment back in 2022…
Morwenna Bone from St Buryan Farm Shop won “Best Woman in Agriculture 2022” and this is what she had to say reflecting upon her win last year... (Farming category kindly sponsored by Azets Accountants UK)
Q) Morwenna, how did it feel to win Best Woman in Agriculture 2022?
A) “Amazing. It was a wonderful surprise to be nominated and get into the top three. It was a huge shock to actually win.”
Q) How did winning the award affect your business and / or your outlook on farming?
A) “Winning the award has had a positive effect on our business, more prospective consumers are now aware of our business and our existing customers were excited to hear I'd won. The award gives greater consumer confidence of our brand and the farm shop. I've always had a positive outlook on farming and winning the award has increased my positivity towards this wonderful industry.”
Q) What advice would you give to anyone thinking about getting involved in the 2023 Awards?
A) “Do it! It's so great to be recognised in our industry, we don't often shout about our work within farming and agriculture, so it's great to be recognised in the sector. Since winning the award I've been on local radio talking positively about farming and been asked to speak at regional shows to fellow farmers about my experiences.”
Q) Why do you think it is important to support farming charities like the Addington Fund?
A) “The Addington fund is a great support for the farming industry, they have supported many farmers in Cornwall and beyond. Their work is so important to ensure farmers get the support they need, so your support enables them to carry out their work when we need them…”
Morwenna Bone from St Buryan Farm Shop with Malcom Peters from Azets Accountants UK, Best Woman in Agriculture Sponsor
A midst trying to break the record for the longest egg and spoon race around Cornwall raising money for the Cornwall Air Ambulance, Hospitality Action and South West Coast Path, Rebecca Tonks from St Ewe Eggs, told us about how she felt winning Best Farm Processor 2022… (Farming category kindly sponsored by Savills).
Q) Rebecca, how did it feel to win Best Farm Processor 2022?
A) “It was absolutely wonderful to have recognition for our business. We have an incredible team, so it means a huge amount to everyone in our team for all their hard work.”
Q) How did winning the award affect your business and / or your outlook on farming?
A) “We are farmers through and through but as our business grows consumers forget that St Ewe was born from farming roots, so this award really cements our core values.”
Q) What advice would you give to anyone thinking about getting involved in the 2023 Awards?
A) “Go for it, not only are you entering on behalf of your family and wider business for recognition, but it feels amazing if you are lucky enough to win.”
Q) Why do you think it is important to support farming charities like the Addington Fund?
A) “Farming is a tough gig and it's really important to nurture all within the might of British food production!”
The Cornwall Farm Business Awards celebrate the best in Cornish farming and we wish the best of luck to those who were entered in to the farming categories below:
• Best Commercial Farmer sponsored by Carter Jonas & AMC
• Best Woman in Agriculture sponsored by Azets Accountants
• Best Mixed Farmer sponsored by PKF Francis Clark sponsoring
• Best Farm Processor sponsored by Savills
• Best Dairy Farmer sponsored by Saputo Dairy UK
• Best Young Farmer sponsored by NatWest
• Best Sustainable Farming Initiative sponsored by Cornish Mutual
• Farming Champion sponsored by NFU
• Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year 2023 sponsored by Stephens Scown Solicitors
Peter Beaumont, Managing Director of Cornish Mutual, this year’s Principal and Category Sponsor, said: “I never cease to be amazed by the achievements of farmers in Cornwall, particularly in these testing times. As Principal sponsor, we remain committed to both the farming community and the vital work done by the Addington Fund to make a positive difference in so many lives.”
The Awards presentation, a glittering black tie dinner, a fundraising auction and prize draw takes place at The Eden Project on Thursday 28 September. All proceeds from the Awards go towards helping farmers and farmworkers in times of hardship through the Addington Fund disaster relief, grants and housing. Tickets can be purchased here.
Keep an eye out on our social media for the announcement of the award winners post event.
For more information about the Cornwall Farm Business Awards and / or if you are interested in sponsorship etc please click here.
Thank you for supporting British farming and the Addington Fund.