We reveal Farmers Weekly’s Rising Stars of 2017
After a nationwide search, we’ve found 13 young men and women who are transforming the farming, food and environmental sectors. They are the Rising Stars of 2017.
They’re all 35 or under and are already making a massive difference. We’re confident that, over the coming years and decades, their influence will be huge. Quite simply, they will be game-changers.
We teamed up with the Woodland Trust to launch a nationwide search for individuals who are making a real difference on farms, in food chain businesses and across the ancillary professions.
The nominations
Nominations flooded in. You told us about people who work on small family farms, those who work in multinational companies – and everywhere in between.
You told us about relatives, bosses, colleagues, employees, friends, neighbours, former students and yourselves.
We read every entry and then invited a shortlist of candidates to fill out a questionnaire that demonstrated, in their own words, their achievements and aspirations for the future.
Our aim throughout has been to recognise and promote the talents of the next generation of farmers, agricultural professionals, academics, researchers and others in the food and farming supply chain.
In so doing, we hope to inspire other young people from outside food and farming to consider this vibrant and fast-moving industry as a potential career choice.
The winners
Our group of winners is diverse and shows what a talent pool we have in the UK food and farming industry. It includes farmers, retailers, researchers, an engineer, adviser and even an ecological economist.
Collectively, they are working on projects that could change the face of agriculture in terms of policy, public perceptions and farming practice.
Read about the Rising Stars 2017
Sponsor’s message
A healthy, natural environment is essential for productive, sustainable farming.
Changes in climate, along with pests and diseases, mean that maintaining a strong and resilient agricultural landscape is more important than ever before.
That’s why we teamed up with Farmers Weekly to search for the rising stars of farming. We have found pioneers of innovative farming who are championing new, exciting ways to keep farms strong for the future.
At the Woodland Trust, we support farmers to develop agricultural systems that are cost-effective and support the surrounding natural environment. Our woodland creation advisers have years of experience helping farmers make the most out of planting trees on their land.
From managing soil erosion and sheltering livestock, to providing an extra crop of fruit, nuts or timber – planting trees on your land can make a difference. Visit the Woodland Trust online to find out more.