51AVÊÓƵ

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

SEE THE BRITISH FARMING AWARDS FULL SHORTLIST

The Regenerative Farmer of the Year award, which was new for 2025, was created and sponsored by The Ethical Butcher. Created in collaboration with Farshad Kazemian, founder and CEO of The Ethical Butcher, to recognise the growing importance of regenerative agriculture, this award recognises individuals who take proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprint while enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and water management.

Whether through the adoption of regenerative agricultural techniques, responsible stockmanship, or the use of renewable energy, these finalists have demonstrated a commitment to farming in harmony with nature.ÌýÌý

Finalists for the Regenerative Farmer of the Year award, sponsored by The Ethical ButcherÌýÌý

A. R. Gorringe and Partners, Hereford Ìý

At Lower Blakemere 51AVÊÓƵin Herefordshire, the Gorringe family is demonstrating how regenerative agriculture can deliver for soil, nature and the bottom line. Phil, Heather and Monty manage a 425-hectare mixed farm combining arable and seed crops, grassland, Stabiliser cattle, pigs, wildlife habitat and diversification, with the simple principle that "soil is the strategy."Ìý

The farm has moved away from ploughing where possible, reduced synthetic inputs and introduced cover crops, direct drilling, rotational grazing and diverse rotations. Livestock play a central role in the nutrient cycle, while Bokashi, worm compost, compost extracts and fermented biology are used to support soil health.Ìý

The family is also measuring its progress through soil testing, carbon assessments, earthworm counts, crop performance and biodiversity surveys. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 customers engage with the farm through Wiggly Wigglers, helping connect regenerative farming with wider conversations around composting, wildlife and reducing waste.Ìý

Direct sales, including Beefy Boxes, farm honey, birdseed and Bokashi, alongside diversification through UK Mini Trucks, are helping retain more value within the business. As a Duchy Focus Farm, the Gorringes are committed to sharing both successes and failures. For them, regeneration is not a badge, but a long-term strategy to build a resilient, profitable farm for the next generation.Ìý

Read next: Silas Hedley-Lawrence: Before you get the cultivator out, watch where the dust is blowing

Mallard Grange Farm, North Yorkshire Ìý

At Mallard Grange Farm, a family-run 300-hectare mixed farm in North Yorkshire, regenerative agriculture has become central to building resilience, improving soils and creating new opportunities.Ìý

Following the extreme weather of 2019 and 2020, the family began rethinking its farming system, moving towards adaptive multi-paddock grazing, diverse herbal leys, reduced tillage and direct drilling. The 140 suckler cows and 400 ewes now utilise native and forage-efficient genetics, while pasture-raised hens follow the grazing livestock, helping control flies and ticks and returning nutrients naturally.Ìý

On the arable side, diverse cover crops, manures and reduced artificial fertiliser use are helping build soil health. Sheep are also used to graze cereal crops in spring, reducing disease pressure and fungicide requirements.Ìý

The results are already evident. Fertiliser costs have fallen to around a third of previous levels, while improved soil structure and deeper rooting have increased resilience to drought and heavy rainfall. Reduced wormer use has also contributed to lower veterinary costs. The farm is combining regeneration with enterprise diversification, from pasture-raised eggs and beef and lamb boxes to seasonal pick-your-own flowers and accommodation.Ìý

For the family, success is increasingly visible in healthier soils, rising biodiversity and the return of farmland species, proving that resilience, nature and profitability can work together.Ìý

See also: Waitrose partners with National Geographic for regenerative farming series

Timothy Riley – Stoney Royd FarmÌý

Over more than three decades, Timothy Riley has transformed Stoney Royd 51AVÊÓƵin the South Pennines into a low-input, nature-rich farming system, combining food production with measurable environmental restoration.Ìý

The 40-hectare SDA hill farm runs a suckler herd of pedigree Beef Shorthorns alongside a small flock of Lleyn-cross sheep. Having previously relied on ryegrass reseeding and purchased fertiliser, Timothy has moved towards permanent pasture, rotational and mob grazing, using only well-rotted farmyard manure and no pesticides or herbicides.Ìý

The approach was driven by both economics and a desire to restore the farm's natural diversity. More than 2,000 trees and new hedgerows have been planted over three decades, while soil testing, carbon audits and plant surveys monitor progress. The farm now supports more than 40 broadleaf species in its best meadows, with improvements in soil organic matter and pH, while independent ADAS assessments show it has become a net carbon sequesterer.Ìý

Beef Shorthorns have proved particularly well suited to the low-input system, with performance recording and careful genetic selection improving carcass, fertility and maternal traits. Direct sales through meat boxes and restaurants help maximise returns. For Timothy, regeneration is about integrating profitability, animal health, food quality and biodiversity, demonstrating that a productive hill farm can also deliver meaningful nature restoration.Ìý

Read next: Move over Clarkson – Wildfarmed branches out into regenerative beer

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