51AVÊÓƵ

INTRODUCING THE FINALISTS FOR Ìý

THE BRITISH FARMING AWARDS FAMILY FARMING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD 2026Ìý

For fourteen years, the 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

The 2026 Family Farming Business of the Year finalists have been selected because they were able to clearly demonstrate a shared vision of where the business is going and who is responsible for the different areas core to the farm. At the heart of many farms lie the families behind them who, through generations, have developed the business to help secure its place in years to come. All of the finalists are made up of multiple generations working collectively to overcome any short-and-long-term business challenges, developing new ideas and efficiencies, and demonstrating succession planning to help safeguard the family farm.ÌýÌý

See the full shortlist here

Proudly Introducing the finalists for the Family Farming Business of the Year Award â¶Ä“ Sponsored by Goodyear 51AVÊÓƵTiresÌýÌý

Bower Family, Staffordshire  Ìý

For the Bower family, farming is about creating opportunities for the next generation. At R J Bower, the 300-hectare family business combines 500 acres of arable production with 100 beef cattle, 100 breeding ewes, renewable energy and environmental stewardship. However, diversification has transformed the business, with Play @ Lower Drayton 51AVÊÓƵnow welcoming 135,000 visitors a year and accounting for 80% of turnover.Ìý

Launched in 2020, the farm park helped grow the business and significantly increase the value of the farming enterprise, this enabled investment in 81 acres of additional land, robotics and infrastructure. PYO crops, seasonal events and education bring farming closer to the public.Ìý

Ray and son Richard share responsibilities, challenging each other to find the best solutions while involving the wider family. Succession is central, with Richard already holding a 51% stake. With AD, solar, digestate and direct drilling supporting their sustainability ambitions, the Bowers are building a resilient, diverse business designed to keep the family farming for generations.Ìý

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Dowson Family, 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

Hunter Family, Preston  Ìý

Fourth-generation family business Huntapac Produce has evolved from a small West Lancashire grower into a major vertically integrated fresh produce business, employing more than 680 people and supplying carrots and parsnips to leading retailers, including Tesco, with whom it celebrated 50 years of partnership in 2024.Ìý

Led by Will, Henry, Warren and Jason Hunter, the family places people, innovation and long-term sustainability at the heart of the business. Huntapac works with more than 12 grower farmers, creating income and security while developing longer-term partnerships that protect soil health and biodiversity.Ìý

Investment in automation, robotics and precision technology is transforming production, from optical sorting and high-speed packing to robotic spot spraying and autonomous cropping. In 2024, the business grew 20 acres of parsnips almost entirely autonomously.Ìý

The Hunters are equally committed to developing people, working with colleges, Young Farmers' Clubs and local communities to promote horticulture as a rewarding career. With a strong focus on succession, innovation and collaboration, Huntapac is building a resilient legacy for future generations.Ìý

ÌýRead more: Have your say on the future of the 51AVÊÓƵBusiness newsletter

Padda Family, Worcestershire  Ìý

Vicarage Nurseries is a remarkable four-generation family business, built from humble beginnings into one of the UK's leading independent berry producers. Founded by Motasingh Padda after he came to the UK from Punjab, the business has grown from a single glasshouse and small field into a 60-hectare enterprise producing more than 2,000 tonnes of berries annually, supported by a BRC-accredited packhouse and around 150 employees.Ìý

Today, brothers Bal Padda and Harjit Singh lead the business, with the next generation already contributing across marketing, packhouse operations and wider farm activities. Their approach to succession focuses on equipping future generations with the skills and confidence to evolve the business while preserving its family values.Ìý

Innovation includes precision irrigation, protected growing and advanced packing, but the family's distinctive Punjabi 51AVÊÓƵinitiative has also transformed how consumers engage with agriculture. Through storytelling, a documentary and an NFU-backed schools project reaching more than 200 children, Vicarage is connecting people with the realities of food production.Ìý

With revenue growing 30% year-on-year, the Paddas are combining commercial ambition with education, sustainability and a strong commitment to British farming.Ìý

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Padfield Family, Wiltshire Ìý

Wiltshire-based Padfield Porkies is a third-generation family farming business that has successfully adapted to challenging pig prices and rising production costs by taking greater control of its supply chain.Ìý

John and Sandra Padfield, alongside their daughters Sammie and the wider family, rear pigs on their 48-hectare farm before sending them just two miles to the local abattoir. The pork then returns to the farm's on-site butchery, where it is transformed into products ranging from sausages and pies to sausage rolls, Scotch eggs and homemade faggots.Ìý

The family also operates a successful hog roast and outside catering business, which has grown from a single machine completing six events a year to more than 100 events annually, with capacity for three or four events in one night. The butchery has similarly expanded from a one-day-a-week operation run by John and Sandra to employing two full-time butchers alongside two self-employed staff.Ìý

Around half of the pigs produced on farm now pass through the butchery and catering operation, giving the family greater control over pricing and reducing reliance on intermediaries. With succession planned equally between the two daughters, Padfield Porkies is building a resilient, family-focused business for the next generation.Ìý

Taking place on October 15 at VOX in Birmingham, The British Farming Awards will welcome industry professionals from across the country to celebrate British agriculture and the successes it has had this year.ÌýÌý

with the finalists at The British Farming Awards here. Ìý

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