Ben and Sam Parker Lead the Way as Cornwall’s Farmers of the Year 2025

Ben and Sam Parker of Callestick Farm were named Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year 2025 at the annual Addington Fund Cornwall Farm Business Awards held last night. The brothers, who farm at Callestick Farm in Cornwall, also took home the Best Farm Processor Award before being crowned the overall winner.

Ben and Sam Parker, Callestick Farm, Cornwall’s Farmers of the Year 2025, with Sue Reynolds, Stephen Scown

The Awards celebrate the very best of Cornish agriculture, and with eight trophies on offer, they highlight the dedication, innovation and resilience of the county’s farmers.

The 2025 winners are:

• Best Commercial Farmer sponsored by Carter Jonas & AMC

  • Winners: D J Keat & Son, Tremayle Farm, Bodmin

    • Finalist: Paul, Steve and Richard Gluyas, W.F. Gluyas & Son, Pencoose Farm, Stithians

• Best Woman in Agriculture sponsored by Azets Accountants

  • Winner: Inez Williams-King, The Grower Nursery, St Agnes

    • Finalists:

      • Kate Martin, Treway Farm, Coombe

      • Jenny Olds, Cornhill farm, Kehelland

• Best Dairy Farmer sponsored by PKF Francis Clark.

  • Winner: The Jenkin Family, Treworgie Farm, Manaccan

    • Finalists:

      • James Warren, Tredinney farm, Crows an Wra

      • Richard Pennington, Treore Dairy Ltd, Port Isaac

• Best Farm Processor sponsored by Savills

  • Winners: Ben & Sam Parker, Callestick Farm Ice Cream, Callestick

    • Finalists:

      • Steve and Bridgette Clamp, Higher Trenowin, Nancledra

      • Kian Hocking & Gracie Sawyer, Whistle Hill Beef and Dairy

• Rising Star sponsored by Cornish Mutual

  • Winner: Jack Marchant, The Cornish Buffalo, Tregoss

    • Finalists:

      • Hope Pascoe, Helston

      • Brett Burchell, Higher Calenick Farm, Porthkea

• Best Farmworker sponsored by Handelsbanken

  • Winner: Tom Chapman, Corgee Farm, Luxulyan

    • Finalists:

      • Charlotte Morris, Panters Bridge, Bodmin

      • Joey Wagstaff, Truro

• Farming Champion sponsored by NFU

  • Winner: Wendy Nicholas, Trevedra farm, Sennen

    • Finalist: Hannah Jones, Farm Carbon Toolkit

Over 200 guests gathered for the ceremony, enjoying a spectacular locally sourced meal and raising vital funds for Addington Fund, the national charity supporting farming families through hardship and change.

The evening was opened by Sue English, Addington Fund Director, who shared news of the charity’s latest initiative — a starter farm in Cumbria aimed at helping new entrants establish themselves in the industry.

“Cornwall has always been at the heart of British farming, and it’s incredibly important to us at Addington Fund,” she said. “The launch of our first starter farm in Cumbria marks a new chapter for the charity, and we hope to extend this model to the Southwest in the future. In the meantime, applications are open for our New Entrant Grant Scheme, which offers up to £3,000 to support projects that improve animal welfare and help build healthier, more resilient farms.”

Peter Beaumont from principal sponsor, Cornish Mutual said, “As we strive to protect our rural communities and help farming thrive for generations to come, Cornish Mutual is honoured to support the Addington Fund as principal sponsor of these awards - a celebration of excellence and innovation in Cornish agriculture. Through the Rising Star Award, we also proudly champion the talented young people who represent the future of our industry. This year’s awards have once again shown the strength and dedication of the county’s farming community – congratulations to all.”

Sue Reynolds, a Partner and head of the Rural Property team at Stephens Scown, sponsors of ‘Cornwall’s Farmer of the Year,’ said, “As a first-time judge, I’ve been deeply impressed by the breadth of expertise and innovation within Cornish farming. The standard of entries reflects a sector that is not only resilient but continually evolving. Cornwall is home to some of the UK’s most forward-thinking and hardworking farmers, and it’s a privilege for our firm to sponsor the Winner of Winners award, recognising those who exemplify excellence in agriculture.”

Auctioneer Edd Buckland expertly encouraged guests to open their wallets during the fundraising auction, which along with the prize draw, raised over £4,000. This phenomenal amount of money goes directly to help British farmers and farmworkers in times of crisis.

The Awards are an extraordinary celebration of British farming and without the support from the sponsors and generous donors, they would not be possible. Addington Fund would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the awards.

Special thanks also go to:

• Haines Watts and James Kittow for sponsoring and supplying the beef,

• Westcotts for sponsoring the drinks reception,

• Penderlaw Solicitors for sponsoring the programme,

• Strutt & Parker for sponsoring some of the drinks.

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