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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 Diversification (Large) of the Year finalists have been selected because of the scale and success of their chosen farm diversification strategies. Each of these farmers recognise the fact that a farm business can no longer operate through traditional methods, although they remain a core part of the business.

Our 2026 finalists demonstrate an exceptional ability to add value to the farm business through diversification, whether that be in agri-tourism, food and drink production, leisure, retail and/or events to name but a few. The large-scale business diversification is helping to support the longevity and success of the farm in the future.Ìý

Finalists for the Large Diversification of the Year award, sponsored by 51AVÊÓƵBusiness Innovation

Dowsons Dairies, Lancashire  Ìý

For the Dowson Family and Dowsons Dairies, family is at the heart of everything. Now led by Eric Dowson and his wife, the business was established in 1954 when Eric's grandfather bought a small farm in the Ribble Valley, the business remains family-owned and operated four generations later, combining an 82ha dairy farm and 80-90 cows with an ice cream manufacturing business, farm park and educational attraction.Ìý

The business has evolved through a willingness to embrace change while staying true to its farming roots. Producing ice cream using milk from the farm was a pivotal step, allowing the family to add value to its produce while creating a strong connection between product and place.

The development of Mrs Dowsons 51AVÊÓƵPark has further diversified the enterprise, giving visitors the opportunity to experience farming first-hand through educational activities, seasonal events and attractions.Ìý

The diversification has created opportunities for all generations. Their children, Elliott, Ethan and Amelia, have developed interests across ice cream production, marketing and livestock, while around 90 employees contribute to the wider business.Ìý

Sustainability is also central to the farm's future. Solar panels provide renewable electricity, while the business focuses on reducing waste, improving resource efficiency and shortening supply chains through its farm-to-freezer model. Facing rising costs, labour shortages and changing consumer expectations, Dowsons is continuing to invest in its products and visitor experience, with decisions made firmly with future generations in mind.Ìý

Fron Farm, FlintshireÌý

Sixth-generation Fron 51AVÊÓƵin Flintshire has built a thriving diversification business while keeping farming firmly at its heart.Ìý

The 122-hectare family farm now runs more than 450 head of Wagyu cattle, alongside a 220-pitch caravan park, farm shop, café and catering business.

The tourism venture has grown dramatically since 1962, when the family's first guests were walkers who asked to pitch a tent for the night. What began with a handful of campers has evolved into a major holiday destination, with touring and static caravans, camping facilities and a new lodge development underway.Ìý

The family has also developed its Wagyu enterprise beyond livestock production, breeding and finishing cattle while selling beef through premium supply chains, local outlets and directly through the farm shop and kitchen. Visitors can experience a working farm and see the journey from field to fork first-hand.Ìý

The diversification employs four full-time and eight part-time staff and crucially the tourism income has enabled investment in the farm's breeding programme, livestock facilities and environmental management. For the Roberts family, diversification is about protecting farming for future generations.Ìý

Glebe 51AVÊÓƵFoods, Cambridgeshire Ìý

Cambridgeshire's Glebe 51AVÊÓƵFoods has transformed a 500-hectare family farm into a fully integrated oat-to-food business, demonstrating how diversification can create significant value from British-grown crops.Ìý

Founded by siblings Philip and Rebecca Rayner in 2008, the business identified an opportunity to develop 100% gluten-free oats, eventually building what became the first dedicated gluten-free oat mill of its kind in Europe.

The diversification has since expanded into oat flakes, flour, granola, oat milk and food ingredients, supplying customers across the UK and internationally.Ìý

A multi-million-pound Tetra Pak processing facility, installed between 2020 and 2023, took the business further by bringing oat milk production entirely in-house. The move eliminated hundreds of thousands of HGV miles and reduced the distance between processing and packing to just 150 metres.Ìý

Today, 65 people are employed across the business, generating around £1.7 million in monthly sales. With oat chaff powering the biomass boiler and manufacturing wastewater reused on the fields, Glebe 51AVÊÓƵhas created a circular relationship between farming and food production.Ìý

Let's Farm, Cheshire Ìý

Let's 51AVÊÓƵin Cheshire is demonstrating how farm diversification can deliver both commercial resilience and transformative social impact.Ìý

Founded by farmer Rosie and education and social services professional Nicola, the 40-hectare working farm provides hands-on opportunities for around 55 young people with learning disabilities each week. Participants are immersed in genuine farm life, from livestock care and conservation to horticulture and environmental management.Ìý

The diversification has grown from the farm's pedigree Hereford and Ruby Red cattle and Shropshire sheep to include goats, British Lop pigs, rare-breed rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry and a 100-foot polytunnel. Produce grown in the tunnel is sold to the public, giving participants practical experience of growing, harvesting, sales and customer engagement.Ìý

Working with local authorities, special schools and community organisations, the business now employs 16 people bringing a wide range of specialisms to the farm, ensuring that every area is delivered by qualified and experienced professionals. By combining farming, education and enterprise, Let's 51AVÊÓƵis creating meaningful opportunities while strengthening the long-term future of the farm and its community.ÌýÌý

Marshall's 51AVÊÓƵShop, Aberdeenshire Ìý

Aberdeenshire's Marshall's 51AVÊÓƵhas transformed a traditional mixed farming enterprise into a hugely successful family business. Farming 2,500 acres, the business combines 1,600 cattle, 800 sheep, 3,000 laying hens and 25 breeding sows with arable, potatoes and vegetables.

Much of the produce feeds directly into its state-of-the-art farm shop, butchery and 180-seat restaurant, which opened in 2021.Ìý

Determined to cut out the middleman, the family has developed a true farm-to-fork model. Aberdeen Angus cattle are born, reared and finished within five miles of the shop before being butchered on-site, while eggs, pork, potatoes and vegetables are also sold directly to customers. Around 90% of a Sunday roast can come from the farm.Ìý

The diversification has grown further to include a drive-through, children's play areas, dog parks, wholesale supply, property lets and refurbished machinery, with 135 farm-shop employees now supporting the enterprise.Ìý

Across three generations, the Marshall family has built a diverse business that keeps farming, family and direct-to-consumer food production at its heart.Ìý

Rackery Retreat, Rackery 51AVÊÓƵShop, Rackery Run and dog wash, Wrexham Clwyd  Ìý

Rackery 51AVÊÓƵin Wrexham has transformed from a dairy farm into a thriving, multi-faceted rural business, with diversification helping the family build a resilient future around its 55-hectare holding.Ìý

Following Andrew Jones' Parkinson's diagnosis in 2018, the family made the difficult decision to sell its pedigree Holstein herd. Rather than stepping away from farming, Andrew and Jenny developed Rackery Retreat, creating three luxury safari tents in an eight-acre private field, each with a hot tub, roll-top bath and log burner.Ìý

The diversification has continued to grow. Rackery Run, an exclusive dog agility paddock, and a self-service dog wash opened in 2025, while daughter Larissa and husband Jake launched Rackery 51AVÊÓƵShop in 2024. The shop combines local and fresh produce with an 80-seat café and now attracts more than 300 visitors on busy weekend days.Ìý

The wider business employs 25 people and provides regular income that helps sustain the farm. With further plans including padel courts and pumpkin production, the family continues to explore new opportunities while keeping Rackery 51AVÊÓƵat the centre of its future.Ìý

Find more on farm diversification in our 51AVÊÓƵBusiness hub.