Chris Berry from Higher Thornton Farm was announced Devon’s Farmer of the Year 2022 and also bagged the Best Young Farmer title too.
After a three-year hiatus, the Devon Farm Business Awards were back with a bang the night before the Devon County Show at the Devon County Showground.
Organised by the Addington Fund and the Devon County Agricultural Association with Principal Sponsor Cornish Mutual, the evening celebrated the best of farming in Devon with Awards across eight categories, culminating in the Devon’s Farmer of the Year Award.
Chris said: ‘I’m still in shock and buzzing from winning the Award to be honest.
‘It’s really nice to be recognised and rewarded for the efforts we young farmers put into agriculture so to be nominated, short listed and win the Awards is truly fantastic and I’d like to thank everyone involved in supporting myself and the agricultural community.’
Penny Dart, a director in Savills rural department in Exeter, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to see Chris named Devon’s Farmer of the Year for 2022.
‘A pioneering agriculturalist, his open-minded and innovative style, alongside his energy and enthusiasm, made him a stand out winner of the Best Young Farmer category.
‘His forward-thinking and collaborative approach has put his expanding farming business ahead of the curve, while his commitment to knowledge-sharing across the sector makes him an inspiration to even the most experienced of farmers.’
Graeme Cock from Mole Valley Farmers, who sponsored Devon’s Farmer of the Year category, said that the calibre of nominations this year was outstanding: ‘It is just incredible to see the talent and passion within the farming industry in my home county.
‘Judging the nominations was a tough job but the panel gave it their all and chose a very worthy winner of winners.’
Peter Beaumont from Cornish Mutual did a sterling job of announcing the category winners on stage, presenting with grace, humour and style.
To top off the evening, the Devon Young Farmers’ Choir took to the stage after dinner, performing ‘Times Like These’ by the Foo Fighters and the iconic ‘Skyfall’ by Adele, while guests enjoyed locally sourced produce from caterers, Baker George.