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For fourteen years, the British Farming Awards has shone a light on the best in British Farming. During this annual event, Britain's farming industry comes together to celebrate the achievements of its contemporaries.ÌýÌý

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The 2026 Sustainable Farmer of the Year finalists have all been selected because of their unparalleled devotion to safeguarding the land for future generations. These finalists are embracing sustainable farming practices which work in harmony with the environment.

The judges noted the efforts each finalist has made to proactively reduce their carbon footprint, whether that be through exploring climate friendly agriculture, biodiversity, soil health, water management stockmanship, and renewable energy solutions.ÌýÌý

Finalists for the Sustainable Farmer of the Year award, sponsored by NSFÌýÌý

Katie Allen, North Wiltshire  Ìý

At Great Cotmarsh 51AVÊÓƵin North Wiltshire, first-generation farmer Katie Allen is demonstrating how a low-input, nature-rich system can create both environmental and economic resilience.Ìý

The 70-hectare organic farm carries 350 rare-breed ewes and 27 British White cattle, all 100% pasture fed and outdoors year-round. Rotational grazing and species-rich grassland support livestock while reducing reliance on purchased inputs, with meat sold directly to local customers, a restaurant and a specialist butcher.Ìý

Over the past 18 months, Katie has planted more than 6,000 trees through an agroforestry project designed to improve biodiversity, animal welfare and climate resilience. The farm also hosts a nature-focused campsite, classroom and education programmes, while her Katie Cotmarsh knitwear business transforms farm wool and plant dyes into locally produced garments.Ìý

With soil carbon monitoring already showing increased carbon stocks, Katie is building a diverse business where farming, nature, education and enterprise work together.Ìý

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Cole Farming, Mid Devon Ìý

Mid Devon's Cole Farming is putting self-sufficiency and circularity at the heart of its rapidly expanding family business.Ìý

Across 180 hectares, the third-generation farm produces more than one million broiler chickens annually, alongside 16,000 free-range laying hens, 400 beef cattle, sheep and pigs.

At the centre of the system is an on-farm biogas plant, providing heat, power, fuel and digestate fertiliser. Animal waste and poultry litter feed the plant, while waste heat warms poultry sheds and dries woodchip for biomass boilers. The farm has not imported electricity for 10 years and now runs two tractors on biomethane.Ìý

Sustainability extends into biodiversity, with more than 5,000 trees planted, three wildlife ponds, herbal lays and 10 beehives. A chemical-free market garden supplies a growing veg-box scheme, while the family's recently acquired pub provides a direct route to consumers. With a farm shop and café planned, Cole Farming is creating a diverse, resilient and increasingly self-sufficient business for the next generation.Ìý

SEE ALSO: The Buckinghamshire farmer opening his doors to education and nature-friendly farming

Evesham Vale Growers, Worcestershire  Ìý

Evesham Vale Growers is demonstrating how large-scale vegetable production can work hand in hand with environmental stewardship and renewable energy.Ìý

Farming 1,800 hectares across Worcestershire, with growing operations extending across a wider 4,500-acre footprint, the business produces spring onions, salad crops and the protected Evesham Vale Asparagus, alongside combinable and energy crops. A diverse rotation, multi-species cover crops and the use of digestate help protect soils, build organic matter and support biodiversity.Ìý

Sustainability is embedded across the business. Its wholly owned energy operation includes solar generation and anaerobic digestion plants, producing renewable energy and green gas while returning digestate to the land. Crop waste is also recycled through the AD system, while captured COâ‚‚ is used in the company's tomato glasshouse.Ìý

Investment in rainwater harvesting, water recycling, integrated pest management and disease-resistant varieties further reduces resource use and risk. With a goal of net zero, EVG continues to invest in biomethane, battery storage and more efficient growing systems, building resilience while producing British food year-round.

ÌýMORE ON SUSTAINABLE FARMING: Church Commissioners tenants adopt sustainable practices

James Wright, North Herefordshire

At Whittern Farms in North Herefordshire, James Wright is proving that sustainability can be embedded into a productive, diversified farming business.Ìý

Managing the 283-hectare family estate, farmed by the same family for 150 years, James oversees blackcurrants, cider apples, vineyards, arable crops, poultry, sheep and 100 acres of woodland. At the heart of the integrated system are three biomass boilers, which use poultry litter to provide renewable heat, while nutrient-rich ash is sold for fertiliser manufacture. Around 720kW of solar, supported by battery storage, supplies 40% of the poultry operation's electricity.Ìý

Soil and resource efficiency are supported through shared machinery, variable-rate fertiliser application and lower-impact farming practices, while biodiversity is enhanced through stewardship schemes, wild planting and a seven-point plan with Ribena.Ìý

James is also championing water quality, with a new two-acre wetland helping protect the Wye catchment. For James, sustainability is about building a resilient, commercially successful farm fit for the next 150 years.Ìý

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to celebrate with the finalists at The British Farming Awards on October 15 at VOX in Birmingham.