THE Sanders Family of Ballalough Farm, West Baldwin have won the Isle of Man’s “Tomorrow’s Farmer” award which was announced last night at the Royal Agricultural Show at Knockaloe.

Now in its third year, the award is presented by DEFA  and sponsored by Shoprite, represented last night by Carol Glover.

An additional award – the Judges Special Award for a Young Farmer – was made by the judges and is also sponsored by Shoprite.  It was awarded to Juan Hargraves, The Views Dairy Farm, Bradda Road, Port Erin, who impressed the judges with his focussed and positive approach to farming and his belief in its future.  

Carol Glover of sponsors Shoprite presented the winners with a cheque for £200 each, together with magnificent glass trophies and certificates. 

The remaining nominees were presented with £50 cash and certificates and congratulated for making it to the short list of farmers considered for the award. The nominees were: Adam Kelly, organic farmer from Upper Howe Farm, Braddan and Mark and Kathy Irwin from Greeba Farm Mushrooms. 

The panel of judges was made up of Minister John Shimmin MHK, John Corrin, President of the Royal Manx Agricultural Show, Stan Clucas, representative of the Manx NFU and Andrew Macdonald, SAC Agricultural Advisor.

Each farm was visited and assessed against criteria for farming efficiently and profitably, their focus on customers, their efforts to promote local food production, their plans to diversify their business and conservation activity on the farm.

Minster John Shimmin MHK said, “Judging was very challenging as we were impressed by all the nominees and in particular by their drive and enthusiasm for a positive future for farming in the Isle of Man.

“I hope their stories will inspire and encourage other farmers to think creatively about their businesses and to believe in a bright future for Manx farming”.