This year's Young British Farming Awards saw 12 finalists selected for gongs at a ceremony held at Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire.

These awards aim to promote the next generation of farming and inspire the growth and development of the agriculture industry.

The event was hosted by farming content creator, Tom Pemberton as well as guest judges Charlotte Ashley and Rebecca Wilson.

The 12 spots on the winners podium included an additional seven new categories for 2026, such as Young Farmer of the Future; Young Fundraising Hero; and Young Innovator of the Year.

Winners

Young handler

The winner of the Junior Yong Handler category was two-time finalist, 9-year-old Edie King from Lancashire. Edie ensures her sheep are not only well presented, but are healthy and well kept, helping her develop "the knowledge and confidence to become a talented stockwoman for the future".

17-year-old  Zara from South Cumbria, who has had her fair share of young handler awards, is the Senior Young Handler. As well as being a natural shepherd, Zara also coaches young children through the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).

Kaleb Cooper New entrant of the year

Essex’s Archie Morris has turned his passion for farming into a business.

Selling his produce through an honesty box outside his house, local deliveries and even a pop-up shop gives him hands-on experience of growing, producing and selling food.

Young farmer club of the year

Junior Club Member of the Year was won by 14-year-old Macie Lewis from Devon, who manages sheep through breeding and lambing before selling them locally.

Sian Healey from Brecknock won Senior Member of the Year, she has a strong understanding of agriculture and recently secured all-terrain vehicle (ATV) training for Young Farmers' Clubs (YFC) members.

Young fundraising hero

Two-time Young British Farming Awards finalist, Joe Trofer-Cook from Lancashire was selected for his initiative in organising a nativity event as a fundraiser for "two causes close to his heart".

Through this he raised £4,700 for the Sleaford Young Farmers club and the Air Ambulance.

Young farm worker

10-year-old William Pearson from West Yorkshire won the prize for Junior Farm Worker of the Year.

He owns his own herd of Blue Cross Limousin cattle, with his homebred heifer Betty securing second place at an auction mart.

Senior young farmer winner Ashton Wallace from Antrim has already gathered several accolades, including as a young ploughman and under 25s trophy.

At home, he is is already contributing ideas to future development of their farm, such as the design of a new calf shed.

Young farmer of the future

William Robinson from North Cumbria has turned his love for ducks into an enterprise, by starting Martindale Muscovies & Waterfowl in 2021.

Since then, he has expanded his business to supplying pubs, restaurants, and shops and has become the youngest trader at around 11 farmers’ markets each month.

Young innovator of the year

Ben O’Connor from Co. Down has combined hands on farming with digital innovation.

He is developing an app called FarmFlow which brings all farming management needs into one place. It allows tasks to be logged in real time, responsibilities assigned, and animal health and medicine records kept up to date.

Farmers Guardian Young Farming Hero 

Derbyshire farmer William Hunt has dedicated time to his family and the farm while balancing full time education and a part time job at just 15 years-of-age.

Since his grandfather’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis, William has helped out a lot more with the farm, without being asked. His help and support have kept the farm up and running throughout this difficult time.