Farmer, TV presenter and conservationist Jimmy Doherty is among the line-up of judges that will help to judge the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ YFC Achiever Awards.
With nominations now open for a seventh year, the awards champion ambition, innovation and commitment among rural young people and their supporters.
A national awards ceremony will be held in Birmingham at the National Conference Centre on 12 December 2026 to reward and recognise the finalists and winners.
Jimmy, who owns Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk and co-hosts Jimmy and Shivi's Farmhouse Breakfast on ITV 1, will help to judge the Young Farmer of the Year Award, alongside Jill Hewitt, the CEO of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), and NFYFC’s Vice Chair Luke Brignall.
The trio will help to select a standout individual who champions best practice in agriculture and actively promotes safe farming.
Jimmy Doherty said:
“It’s a real privilege to be involved with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ YFC Achiever Awards. Young farmers represent the future of our countryside, and it’s incredibly inspiring to see the passion, innovation and resilience coming through in the next generation.
“Having built my own career in farming and food, I know just how important it is to support and celebrate those who are pushing the industry forward. I’m really looking forward to meeting the finalists and hearing their stories — it’s initiatives like this that give young people the confidence to grow, develop and shape the future of British farming.”
Among the leading names from the farming industry helping to choose winners are podcaster and farming influencer David Wheatley (@petitepeonys), farmer and content creator Zoe Colville (@thechiefshepherdess), farmer, podcaster and content creator Rebecca Wilson (@rebeccawilsonfarming), farmer and co-founder of We Are Agriculture and part of the Hawkstone Farmers Choir Ben Brooke (@farmerbenbrooke), and Tom York, Agricultural Management Consultant and fitness content creator (@tomyorkfit).
The highly contested Club of the Year category, which is sponsored by CFMOTO UK, seeks to find a Young Farmers’ Club that is living the YFC values and demonstrating inclusivity, as well as showing their strengths in club programming and safeguarding.
David Wheatley, who grows peonies on his farm in Peterborough, is a former member of March YFC in Cambridgeshire and said: “I want these Young Farmers' Clubs to be shameless in showing off why they are the best.”
CFMOTO Marketing Manager Jasmine Kent said the business was “honoured” to sponsor the Club of the Year Award for a fourth year.
“Supporting Young Farmers means backing the future of our food, our countryside, and our communities. This award celebrates the power of teamwork – and we’re proud of every single member flying the YFC flag."
In 2025, NFYFC measured its social value and analysis showed that YFCs generate £4.51 of social good for every £1 NFYFC invests, totalling £10,024,953.
Clubs raise an estimated £5.75m for good causes every year, but they also commit hours of support towards their rural communities in projects from litter picks to community gardens.
The Community Spirit Award recognises the generosity of YFCs across England and Wales and farmer Ben Brooke will be helping to judge the award.
As a performer in the Hawkstone Farmers Choir, which involves some former NFYFC members, Ben is aware of how important rural communities are.
Ben Brooke said:
“I'm really proud to be asked to judge NFYFC’s YFC Achiever Awards, especially the Community Spirit Award, an area of the industry that shines such a bright light on it and is crucial for its survival.
“Farming can be a tough and often isolating industry, so seeing the work clubs and communities are doing to support the next generation of farmers, as well as raising awareness and bringing everyone together, is incredibly important. It's something I care a lot about personally, through my work with the Hawkstone Farmers' Choir and beyond, and I'm looking forward to bringing my experience from being on the other side of the panel with Britain's Got Talent to this year's awards!”
The outcome of one the awards categories will be determined by members of the YFC community. An online vote will be held for the Heart of YFC Award, and the results will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine the winner.
NFYFC’s President John Lee OBE DL is among the judging panel for the Heart of YFC Award and will help present the awards at the ceremony in December.
John Lee OBE DL said:
“It’s incredibly exciting to once again open nominations for the YFC Achiever Awards and shine a light on the outstanding YFC members, clubs and supporters who make such a difference.
"Across our more than 560 Young Farmers’ Clubs in England and Wales, we are developing future leaders, entrepreneurs and compassionate citizens who strengthen our rural communities, and these awards give us a fantastic opportunity to recognise that impact.
"I’d encourage everyone to submit their nominations before the 31 May deadline. I’m really looking forward to meeting this year’s finalists and celebrating their achievements in December.”
Nominations can be made online here and entries must be submitted before the deadline of 31 May 2026. A full line up of judges can be viewed online here.
