THE time has come to nominate local farmers for this year’s Devon Farm Business Awards.

The awards are staged by the Addington Fund, Devon County Agricultural Association and Stephens Scown Solicitors, and if you know someone eligible you have another week to put their names forward.

There are six categories: best commercial farmer, best dairy farmer, best woman in farming, the CAVV John Neason Farm Diversification Award, Devon’s farming champion and best young farmer.

In addition, the judges will choose Devon’s Farmer of the Year from among the category winners and also present a Lifetime Achievement award.

The awards will be announced and presented at a prestigious dinner on the eve of the Devon County Show, which this year runs from May 17-19 at Westpoint, Exeter.

Addington Fund Trustee Sheila Cole said: ‘There have already been an encouraging number of nominations for this year’s awards.

‘The awards are especially important as they demonstrate pride and resilience of Devon farming, at a particularly difficult time for the industry.’

Nominations for the awards close on March 16 and forms are available from the Addington Fund www.addingtonfund.org.uk/events.