Rural young people from across England and Wales have been shortlisted for a range of awards at The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ YFC Achiever Awards 2023, sponsored by Karcher UK.
High profile names from across the industry helped to judge the YFC Achiever Awards and the winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham on 3 November 2023.
Tickets are now on sale, where former international rugby referee and NFYFC’s President Nigel Owens MBE will be the compere for the evening.
Shortlisted finalists include YFC members from Brecknock, Cumbria, Cornwall, Devon, Glamorgan, Gwent, East Riding of Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Notts, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, Radnor, Shropshire, Suffolk, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Yorkshire.
The awards recognise and reward the dedication and commitment shown by young people (and those who assist YFC) who are supporting the British countryside.
Eight award categories shine a light on the amazing work that YFC members and their supporters do throughout the year – from acts of kindness in local communities to developing rural enterprises.
NFYFC President Nigel Owens MBE said all the finalists demonstrated the important role young people play in their rural communities.
Our judges had a tough challenge to shortlist our 40 finalists, and each one of them makes me proud to be NFYFC’s President. These awards celebrate the work young people do to keep their rural communities connected, supported and thriving.
“All the finalists have dedicated their time and skills to support others and we are looking forward to applauding their achievements at our awards ceremony in November. A huge congratulations to all the finalists and good luck!
Nigel Owens
NFYFC President
Nigel helped to choose the shortlist for the Heart of YFC Award, sponsored by Karcher, and the winner of this category is decided by the YFC community. The five shortlisted YFC members are part of a public vote, which will close on 1 October 2023, ahead of the announcement at the awards.
Katie Gent from Nottinghamshire, Will Longmire from Cumbria, Tom Retallick from Cornwall, Lucy Stowell from Norfolk and Oliver Weavers from Essex will be vying for votes over the next two weeks. People can vote online for who they think should win the Heart of YFC.
Among the 24 judges who helped choose the finalists are social media influencer Ant Thomas from @keepincowsmoovin, farmer and star of Born Mucky Ally Hunter Blair and farmer and TV presenter Gareth Wyn Jones.
Simon Keeping, Group Managing Director, UK & Ireland Kärcher UK Ltd, said:
"Farming in the UK, and with it, Young Farmers' Clubs, face challenging times ahead. Climate change, the impact of technology and new international trade deals all create opportunities but in turn put additional pressures on UK agriculture.
"At Kärcher we describe ourselves as 'Custodians of the brand' – it guides us in how we act and develop the business. Young Farmers are also custodians – custodians of the land, or more precisely the 69% of this country's land mass that is in agricultural production.
"It's a privilege for Kärcher to help celebrate success with YFC and to encourage young farmers to embrace their mantle of Custodians of the land."