Soil underpins the entire farming system. A healthy well-managed soil rich in organic matter will support productive and healthy crops and pasture, which in turn supports a profitable and resilient farming system.
Since 2015, the Soil Farmer of the Year Competition has helped to find, promote and champion UK farmers who are passionate about safeguarding their soils and building resilient businesses.
As part of the competition, the top three farmers host farm walks that bring farmers together to share good practices and innovations that improve soil health.
The competition has become widely recognised by organisations working in soil health, with many promoting it to their networks to increase participation.
If you would like to get in touch about the competition, you can email us at: info@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk
Latest News
Finalists announced for Soil Farmer of the Year 2025: Six farmers have been shortlisted for the Soil Farmer of the Year 2025 competition, in recognition of their approach, actions and results in improving the soil health in their farming systems. Read about them here.
Following the final round of judging, which includes a farm visit, the winners will be announced at Groundswell 2025. Attendees at the Groundswell session, which is taking place at 7pm on Wednesday 2nd July at Speakers Corner, will hear directly from all the finalists about their ideas, practices and results relating to soil health in their farming systems.
2024 Soil Farmer of the Year
The 2024 Soil Farmer of the Year winners were announced at Groundswell 2024, a huge congratulations to our winners, finalists and all our applicants!
- 1st Place – Tracy Russell and David Newman, Bucksum, Buckinghamshire (Pictured above, right). Watch the video about their farm here.
- 2nd Place – Ed Horton, SS Horton & Sons, Gloucestershire (Pictured above, middle).
- 3rd Place – Ben Richards, Middle Trelan Farm Ltd, Cornwall (Pictured above, left). Read more about Ben’s farm.
2023 Soil Farmer of the Year
The 2023 Soil Farmer of the Year winners were announced at Groundswell 2023, a huge congratulations to them all.
- 1st Place – Stuart Johnson, West Wharmley Farm, Hexham (pictured above, right). Book on his farm walk here.
- 2nd Place – Richard Anthony, R&L Anthony Ltd, Bridgend (pictured above, centre). Book on his farm walk here.
- 3rd Place – Bronagh O’Kane, Drumard Farm, Cookstown (pictured above, left). Book on her farm walk here.
Further details on the finalists and highly commended can be found here.
2022 Soil Farmer of the Year
The winners were announced at Groundswell 2022! Read about it here.
Details about farm walks at each of the winner’s farms can be found here:
2021 Soil Farmer of the Year
Read about the winners of our 2021 competition here and write-ups from the farm walks here:
2020 Soil Farmer of the Year
Resources from our 2020 competition:
2019 Soil Farmer of the Year
Resources from our 2019 competition:
2018 Soil Farmer of the Year
Resources from our 2018 competition:
