Farmers often worry about the agricultural industry being portrayed in a negative light. Why, some producers ask, don’t the media give more space and airtime to the positive stories in farming?

According to an ex-editor of The Sun, Britain’s biggest-selling daily newspaper, the answer lies in the industry projecting itself with confidence.

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference in January, David Yelland said farmers need to portray themselves as “victors“ rather than “victims“. But how can individual farmers go about it?

One of the easiest and best ways is to nominate someone – or enter yourself – for the 2009 Farmers Weekly Awards.

The awards are about recognising the enormous contribution UK farmers make to society and the environment. It is all about celebrating the achievements and innovation of farmers so we can promote the sector to the wider world.

There are, of course, good personal reasons for people to enter, too. Winning one of our 16 categories is a great achievement and one that opens many doors. It’s an opportunity for producers to have their own hard work, and that of their family and staff, recognised by the industry and their peers.

Getting shortlisted is also fantastic PR for you and your business. Previous winners say that it opened doors to new contacts and business opportunities. And don’t rule out an entry on the grounds of size or because you assume there will be stronger entries. Everyone running an efficient business should be considered as worthy of being a winner.

If all that isn’t enough, there’s the chance to attend one of the best nights in the farming calendar. The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony which will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on 8 October 2009. It’s a night not to be missed.

Categories

• Arable Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Firestone)
• Arable Farmer of the Year (sponsored by GrowHow)
• Beef Farmer of the Year (sponsored by McDonald’s)
• Contractor of the Year (sponsored by JCB)
• Countryside Farmer of the Year (sponsored by Natural England)
• Dairy Farmer of the Year (sponsored by DairyCo)
• Diversification Farmer of the Year (sponsored by James Miles-Hobbs)
• Farm Manager of the Year (sponsored by Claas)
• Green Energy Farmer of the Year (sponsored by British Sugar)
• Livestock Adviser of the Year (sponsored by Silotite)
• Local Food Farmer of the Year (sponsored by Asda)
• Pig Farmer of The Year (sponsored by Waitrose)
• Poultry Farmer of the Year (sponsored by EB Equipment)
• Sheep Farmer of the Year
• Young Farmer of the Year (sponsored by Massey Ferguson)
• Farming Champion (sponsored by the NFU)

How to nominate someone

If you can think of someone who could make a worthy winner, then nominate them yourself. Click here and press the “enter now” option. Select the category for your nomination and fill out the short form.

If you work for an organisation with farmer members or one that supplies farmers, buys from farmers or advises farmers then nominate and encourage your top farmers to enter.

How to enter yourself

Click here to download an entry form for one of the categories, or email marion.phillips@rbi.co.uk, or telephone 020 8652 4081 for a paper version. The closing date for entries is 30 April.

What happens next?

• A shortlist of three entries for each category will be selected by an independent category judge and Farmers Weekly
• The shortlisted entrants will be visited by a judging panel in the summer
• Winners will be revealed at the Awards night on 8 October