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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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Agriculture's Woman of the Year Award celebrates a woman or group of women who are making a significant and inspiring impact within the agricultural industry.

Whether through innovation, leadership, education, or advocacy, this award will highlight those women who demonstrate determination, resilience, and a commitment to driving change. From on-farm excellence to off-farm influence, these finalists embody passion, progress and the power of representation in a traditionally male-dominated sector.Ìý

Finalists for Agriculture's Woman of the Year 2026 – Sponsored by NFU MutualÌýÌý

Sarah Felstead, Cheshire  Ìý

As Head of Production and Veterinary Services at Cogent Breeding Ltd, Sarah Felstead combines veterinary expertise, strategic leadership and a passion for developing people to help shape the future of agriculture.

With more than 15 years at the global bovine genetics business, she oversees animal health, biosecurity, production excellence and international trade, while leading a production team of more than 40 within a 240-strong workforce.Ìý

A qualified veterinary surgeon, Sarah began her career in mixed practice, specialising in dairy fertility and proactive herd health. She has since become the company's most senior female leader, helping challenge perceptions around women in traditionally male-dominated agricultural roles.

Sarah is particularly proud of transforming the culture at the Beachin Production Unit, where investment in manager training, culture workshops and mental health ambassadors helped reduce sickness absence from 7% to 4% and improve staff retention.Ìý

Having successfully led teams through Covid-19 and restructured livestock and laboratory operations, Sarah champions compassionate, inclusive leadership. Her own experience of balancing a career with family life has strengthened her determination to create flexible workplaces where people can thrive and progress.Ìý

READ NEXT: Kate Rowell: "It was a fantastic atmosphere with a roomful of amazing agricultural women"

Joanna Hilditch, North Herefordshire  Ìý

Fourth-generation farmer Joanna Hilditch has spent nearly 30 years leading Whittern Farms in North Herefordshire, building on her family's 150-year legacy while developing a diverse and commercially resilient rural enterprise.Ìý

As owner and managing director, Joanna oversees the 700-acre mixed farm, which produces blackcurrants for Ribena, cider apples, grapes, arable crops and poultry, alongside sheep, woodland and renewable energy. The business has also diversified into premium drinks through White Heron Drinks and luxury accommodation and agri-tourism through White Heron Estate.Ìý

Innovation and sustainability are central to Joanna's approach. The farm has invested heavily in renewable energy, including solar panels, biomass boilers and battery storage, while environmental work spans Higher-Level Stewardship, biodiversity initiatives, woodland management and a new wetland project.Ìý

Joanna has also played an influential role beyond the farm gate, including as Chair of the Blackcurrant Foundation, a board member of the NFU Poultry Board and CLA, and Chair of Visit Herefordshire.

Having taken over the farm following the deaths of her brother and father, Joanna has overcome the challenges of leading a traditionally male-dominated industry with resilience and determination. Her focus on diversification, sustainability and championing women in agriculture has helped create a thriving business fit for future generations.Ìý

SEE ALSO:Ìý"Farming is my life": Young stockwoman Katie Aiken carving out a career in livestock

Clare Otridge, Cambridgeshire Ìý

As Director of Grounded Research, Clare Otridge is helping ensure farmers' voices are heard and understood across the food, farming and rural economy. A farmer's daughter, Clare combines her personal connection to agriculture with a career focused on research, insight and advocacy.Ìý

One of her proudest achievements is developing Five Bar Gate, Grounded Research's verified farmer community, which now connects with more than 2,000 UK farmers. By ensuring farmers are properly briefed and paid for their expertise, the platform provides a trusted route for their experiences and views to inform policy, assurance, innovation, sustainability and business decisions.Ìý

Clare has also helped develop research communities spanning more than 10,000 people across the food supply chain, while leading the longitudinal What Keeps Farmers Awake at Night? study, which provides regularly updated insight into farmers' concerns.Ìý

Alongside her professional work, Clare supports women across food and farming through the Women in Food and Farming steering group. Her work is centred on connection – bringing farmers, decision-makers and industry together to create a more informed, inclusive and representative future for agriculture.Ìý

SEE ALSO: New study set to address imbalance in health and well-being provision for women in agriculture

Clare Price, Warwickshire  Ìý

Clare Price has built a career around supporting people across agriculture, from helping young people develop their skills to working directly with farmers and landowners through her role at Warrendale Wagyu.Ìý

Having previously taught agriculture at Warwickshire College, Newton Rigg and Shuttleworth College, Clare was passionate about helping apprentices and students, particularly those from challenging backgrounds.

Her commitment to supporting the next generation continues through her work as a mentor for the Plumb Foundation, her involvement with Warwickshire Young Farmers and the Warwickshire College Advisory Board.Ìý

For the past three years, Clare has worked with Warrendale Wagyu, supporting more than 900 farmers supplying the business. Her role centres on communication, building relationships and helping farmers make confident decisions around cattle performance, profitability and welfare.Ìý

Clare is also Chairman of Kenilworth Show and Secretary of the Centre West Simmental Cattle Society. Known for her empathy, resilience and "can-do" attitude, she consistently goes the extra mile to support farmers and colleagues, making her a valued advocate for British agriculture.Ìý

Helen Reeve, Norfolk  Ìý

For more than 30 years, Helen Reeve has combined her passion for livestock with a commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers. Based in Norfolk, she is both a working farmer and agricultural lecturer, alongside running her own pedigree Waveney Dexter herd and direct-selling grass-fed beef.Ìý

Helen's career began with a determination to work with cattle, progressing from livestock qualifications to becoming a herdsperson before moving into agricultural education in 2016. Today, she leads agricultural apprenticeship courses at Easton and Otley College, combining lecturing with on-farm assessments and supporting apprentices, employers and industry stakeholders.Ìý

A passionate advocate for agriculture, Helen is also heavily involved with Young Farmers, mentoring and supporting those starting their careers. Her achievements include the Land Rover Bursary, an FCCT Educator Award, the Worshipful Company of Farmers' Challenge of Rural Leadership course and 30 years as a Dexter breeder.Ìý

Having faced sexism and doubts about her abilities throughout her career, Helen has used those experiences to build resilience and champion greater equality across agriculture.Ìý

Hannah Rose Priest, Monmouthshire  Ìý

Hannah Rose has carved out a unique role at the intersection of commercial dairy farming, education and rehabilitation, working on a Ministry of Justice dairy farm in Monmouthshire. Alongside helping manage a commercial enterprise supplying milk to major retailers, she trains and supports prisoners, many of whom arrive with little agricultural experience.Ìý

Responsible for livestock management, youngstock, feeding and welfare, Hannah also delivers accredited agricultural qualifications, helping individuals develop practical skills, confidence and the discipline needed to secure employment after release. Her commitment to high standards extends to significant on-call responsibilities, often requiring her to make independent decisions in time-critical situations.Ìý

A passionate advocate for agriculture, Hannah was a finalist for Dairy Woman of the Year in 2023 and completed the Welsh Agri Academy that year. She is particularly proud of seeing people she has trained go on to agricultural careers.

By combining hands-on farming with education and rehabilitation, Hannah is helping build a more skilled, inclusive and progressive future for the industry.Ìý

Rebecca Tonks, Cornwall Ìý

As CEO and joint founder of St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, Rebecca ‘Bex' Tonks has spent more than two decades championing British farming, animal welfare and sustainable food production.

Raised on her family's dairy farm in Cornwall, Bex returned to farming in 2004 and transformed the family's egg business into a nationally recognised brand, now supplying major retailers including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons and Co-op.Ìý

Today, she works closely with a network of free-range family farms, championing fair returns, high welfare standards and long-term resilience. Under her leadership, St. Ewe became the first egg packer in Europe to achieve B Corp certification, while the business has invested in renewable energy, biodiversity and community initiatives.

Bex also sits on the NFU Poultry Board and regularly advocates for British agriculture. Her leadership combines commercial growth with a deep commitment to farmers, people, animals and the environment.Ìý

Clare Wise, Co Durham Ìý

A fifth-generation farmer with a 14-generation family farming legacy, Clare Wise has built a career defined by resilience, leadership and a determination to challenge the status quo.

After facing barriers to entering agriculture as a young woman, she transformed her family farm, replacing its pedigree Texel flock with a 500-head commercial flock, introducing TMR feeding and bringing more operations in-house.

Her commitment to mixed and grassland farming, animal health and welfare has helped deliver a successful modern farming business, recognised with Sheep Farmer of the Year.Ìý

Alongside farming, Clare is a prominent NFU advocate, campaigning tirelessly for practical, proportionate agricultural policy and speaking directly to government on issues including inheritance tax. She also champions women's voices, farmer wellbeing and greater representation, while inspiring children through school visits and agricultural events.

For Clare, farming is about more than business: it is about community, advocacy and creating opportunities for the next generation.ÌýÌý

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