THE “huge amount of effort and passion” needed to make farming a success shone through as some of the region’s outstanding farmers received accolades for their work at the inaugural Three Counties Farmer Farming Awards.

Those shortlisted were joined by colleagues, family and friends and other farming figures, including National Farmers Union leader Minette Batters, in the members’ tent at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on the eve of the Royal Three Counties Show.

And among the winners was Stourport's very own Michael Pratt.

The awards were organised by Newsquest - publisher of the Kidderminster Shuttle as well as the Redditch Advertiser, Bromsgrove Advertiser, Hereford Times, Worcester News and Three Counties Farmer.

Supported by Harper Adams University and sponsored by a number of local businesses including mfg solicitors, the awards raised money for the Addington Fund, which helps find homes for families who have had to leave the industry.

As awards organiser Newsquest’s Sue Griffiths said in her opening remarks, it is “high time recognition was given to our unsung heroes in the Three Counties.”

Guest speaker was none other than Minette Batters, president of the NFU, who used her speech to show her faith in Britain’s farmers.

She said she believed agriculture could achieve net zero, with climate change the “challenge of our time.”

She added: “Tonight is about celebrating British farming and celebrating achievements. There are some big businesses in the room and there are some smaller ones. That’s the strength of our industry and what we want to maintain.”

The awards presentation saw rapturous applause for the winners.

Collecting the top award for Outstanding Achievement were husband and wife Anthony and Christine Snell, soft fruit producers at Windmill Hill, Harewood End, Herefordshire, who also won the Fruit/Hop Farmer award.

Categories were announced by journalist Rob Stokes, with Gamber Logistics based at Grafton, Herefordshire, first up to receive the Farming Contractor award.

The Family Run Farm of the Year went to PG and CP Whitehouse at Bradley Farm, Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire. Boddington Estates, near Cheltenham, won Arable Farmer of the Year and the Sustainable and Diversification award went to Two Farmers Crisps’ Mark Green and Sean Mason from Herefordshire.

Mark collected a second award for the Green family firm, Court Farm Chickens at Much Birch, Herefordshire, which won Poultry Farmer of the Year.

The Young Farmer award went to Michael Pratt for his work with vulnerable people at

Leapgate Activity Centre in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire.

Sheep farmer of the Year went to AE and V Albutt and Sons at Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, the Cattle Farmer of the Year award was presented to HW Smith and Sons at Ledbury, and the Farming Hero award was presented to Margaret Herbert, a volunteer with the Farming Community Network for more than 10 years.