I've been one of the judges in the 'Young Farmer of the Year' category Farmers Weekly Awards.
It's always one of the most hotly contested categories (there are 14 this year) and it's the one I was most hoping I'd be involved with because, without getting all misty-eyed about this, it's positively inspiring.
Anyone who's 35 or under was eligible to enter - and winning (in fact, even getting in the top three) is a huge achievement.
It's been a long process. Firstly, there was task of sifting through every submission as we whittled down the entries to an initial longlist.
Three judges have been involved throughout: myself; the deputy principal at the Royal Agricultural College, Professor Paul Davies; and last year's winner, Lancashire farmer Phil Halhead, who also runs Norbreck Genetics. We've been supported by Gary Henly representing the category sponsor Massey Ferguson.
Inevitably, we had slightly different approaches - but ultimately we all wanted the same thing: a progressive, talented farmer who was already making a real difference to a business. Someone, in other words, who had the potential to become (if they weren't already) one of the best farmers in their sector.
Cue lots of reading, lots of deliberation and lots of emails and phone calls between judges. We had some very impressive entries and eventually picked our best three. So, we had our shortlist.
We then embarked on a massive road (and air) trip, to see our trio. We've been to West Sussex, North Yorkshire and Perthshire and visited three very different businesses. We've spend time in farm offices, cattle sheds, potato storage houses, arable fields... We had hours of discussion in hotel bars and dining rooms. It's a cliche - but reaching a decision was agony. All three deserved to win - but ultimately (as they say at the Oscars and at the Booker) a competition can have only one winner.
We discussed it, agreed on some things, disagreed on others, discussed it a bit more, slept on it, had more discussion and found a consensus with which we were all happy. We had a winner.
The name of that person is top-secret (I'd love to tell you, but I'd probably get sacked if I do!) until Awards night on October 27 in London. This is a swanky black-tie do when all the shortlisted farmers - along with the great and the good of the industry - will converge on the Grosvenor House Hotel.
It'll be a time for everyone involved to celebrate. There'll be a great meal, some good wine and, if previous years are anything to go by, some sore heads the following morning.
The three shortlisted candidates in the Young Farmer category (in alphabetical order) are:
Nick Baird, Funtington, West Sussex
Adrian Ivory, Meigle, Perthshire
Adam Metcalfe, Newsham, North Yorks
One of the reasons I enjoy being involved is that you can learn so much from such talented people. Here are 10 of the many things that have struck me this year:
* The people who get on are those who are prepared to take risks - although you've got to know when to take a risk, as you can't get the big decisions wrong!
* Entrepreneurial people are, pretty much, born that way. Fact is, you've either got it or you ain't!
* Successful people aren't afraid of admitting to having made mistakes - if you don't admit to them, you can't learn from them.
* If you come back to a family farm after a spell away, you should earn the confidence and respect of the staff (and possibly the rest of your family) before trying to implement changes.
* Man-management is as crucial on a farm as in any business (and in some ways, more so, as the team is probably smaller).
* Attention to detail is vital.
* You can't be backwards in coming forward (it might be unjust, but shrinking violets don't get on in business!)
* Think long term.
* However talented you are, if you want to get on, you have to be prepared to work incredibly hard.
* There's a very real danger, however, that when you're immersed in a business you neglect the other areas of your life. Don't!