Northern Farmer Awards 2024: Women in Agriculture Award

The winners across ten varied categories will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Pavilions of Harrogate, the Great Yorkshire Showground tomorrow, Thursday, February 22.

Also to be revealed on the night will be the overall 2024 Northern Farmer of the Year, chosen by the panel of judges from the category winners.

Women in Agriculture, sponsored by George F. White

Annie Stones, Nun Cote Nook Farm, Marrick

Stock person Annie Stones, of Nun Cote Nook Farm, Marrick, is chairwoman of YFC Reeth, a rep for Jamesons Feed, shows sheep and attended Harper Adams.

Keen and future focused, Annie is a 26-year-old fifth-generation beef and sheep farmer and a full-time animal feed firm nutrition advisor. She has a passion for all things farming, studying Animal Production Science before taking on the job.

Annie spends all her spare time at home on the family beef and sheep hill farm where they farm 90 suckler cows and over 500 breeding ewes, with the majority being pedigree North Country Cheviots. She and her partner also have their own flock of pedigree sheep they run on his farm.

As a farm they are heavily dependent on the use of social media. Creating a Facebook page and gaining a large following has massively helped them to share their successes, which has aided them when selling livestock.

Living and farming in beautiful Swaledale means farming is done with environmental considerations. Biodiversity preservation is important on the family farm, which practises rotation grazing and continues to manage the organic matter in their soils to preserve good soil health.

Being a woman in the farming industry, Annie feels that there is still the need to break down the gender barriers which she witnesses with her job today, but she also feels women are able to help advance sustainable and efficient farming practices.

Alisha Lack, Malton

Alisha, 22, of Malton works full time with an Easingwold-based herd of longhorns comprising 70 breeding females and followers as well as having beef shorthorn cattle at home in Malton.

She also has a small flock of greyfaced Dartmoor sheep.

Alisha has recently started her own shop on Etsy selling photos she takes of the stock as she believes this is the best way to promote the breed.

Technology-wise, Alisha uses a range of programmes within her work, as well as a variety of types of technology to photograph the livestock and improve the photos.

Alisha believe planting wildflowers and herbal ley grasses is a positive as the wildflowers are great for wildlife habitats and herbal leys are great for the livestock.

Showing the cattle at smaller local shows is, Alisa believes, making a worthwhile contribution to the wider industry as many people don’t have a chance to see longhorn cattle and greyfaced Dartmoor sheep, even though both are native breeds to the UK.

Last year she won Breed Champion at Northumberland Show and Best Calf at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Read more: Finalists revealed for 2024 Northern Farmer Awards

Alisha thinks women in agriculture should be better promoted as many women who do not necessarily come from a farming background may struggle to get into the industry.

She believes this would help other women and girls to become more confident about going into farming.

Nina Hildreth, Curlew Fields Dairy, Hessay

Nina Hildreth, of Curlew Fields Dairy, Hessay, York, is dedicated to transforming the family farm and has an innovative approach to the food industry. Her journey from the food industry back to the family farm, alongside her brother Tom, showcases a true commitment to sustainability.

Being diagnosed with MS nearly three years ago encouraged Nina to set up a shop after working as a butcher became almost impossible.

The decision to set up micro-processing milk and sell it directly to the public through vending machines is a fantastic example of forward thinking. By purchasing secondhand equipment and utilising it creatively, they not only minimised costs but also significantly contributed to environmental sustainability by eliminating plastic waste and reducing food miles.

The introduction of a cafe and the production of various milk-based products like ice cream and milkshakes is a testament to their adaptability and willingness to diversify. They have come up with 85 ice cream flavours and about 40 milkshake flavours.

Nina’s use of social media is an excellent way to engage with the community and market their products.

Allowing customers to see the cows then enjoy the final product emphasises transparency and the connection between consumers and producers.

Nina’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement not only benefits the family farm but also sets an example for others looking to make a positive impact in their communities and in the world of food production.