Norfolk Rural Business Awards
Norfolk County Council and the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association are pleased to announce that the Norfolk Rural Business Awards are returning for 2026.
There are nine sponsored category areas aimed at showcasing a wide range of our best businesses, community groups and people.
- The awards are officially launched at the Norfolk Farming Conference on Tuesday 10 February 2026 - applications open on this date
- The closing date for applications is Tuesday 21 April 2026
- The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday 25 June 2026 at the Royal Norfolk Show
Winners will receive a trophy, a certificate, and be able to use Norfolk Rural Awards branding in their promotions.
Process
- You may only apply for one award category - if you apply for more we'll ask you to choose one
- If you won an award last year, you cannot apply for the same category this year, but you may apply for a different category
- After the closing date for applications the judging panel will create a shortlist
- The panel will contact shortlisted applicants
Make an application
You can nominate yourself, or someone else, for one award category per person.
Please make sure you:
- Complete the application form in full
- Try to use the full word count allowance
- Check you've included enough detail
If you need any further guidance contact [email protected]. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
Online information sessions
We will be running two online information sessions on:
- 2-3pm Tuesday 3 March
- 1-2pm Thursday 2 April
These are an opportunity for anyone who is considering making an application to ask any questions or to seek clarity on how to write a good application.
To sign up email us at [email protected]. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
Hear from last year's winners
We have produced some short videos of last year's winners:
Videos of last year's winners with audio description
Award categories
Best Rural Community Initiative sponsored by Pearn Wyatt Transport
This award is sponsored by Pearn Wyatt Transport.
Applicant details:
- Need to be a business, or community facing entity, that benefits the wider rural community
- Need to demonstrate both the buy in and impact of the initiative
- Initiative must be based in Norfolk
We will be looking for initiatives that can demonstrate that they have made a real difference to their rural community. The number, roles and commitment of volunteers will demonstrate how effective the initiative has been. Feedback from the people and/or organisations who have benefitted will be important.
Examples could be:
- A community shop run by volunteers
- A community meal on wheels service
- A care farm
- A community taxi scheme
- Farm shops and pubs offering wider community support
- A business that supports the wider rural community
Best Rural Innovation in Practice sponsored by Birketts
Applicant details:
- Need to be based in Norfolk and engaged in land management activity
- Need to demonstrate how their innovative practices have had an impact on the business/organisation
- Ideally, applicants will show how any learning has influenced others and led to positive change
We will be looking for businesses/organisations that have adapted positively to the challenges they face. This could be in relation to wholesale changes, like the introduction or advancement of regenerative farming, or introducing a new technique or technology that drives productivity benefits for the business. Applicants who can show they are striving to make continuous improvements and learning will be strong contenders.
Examples could include:
- An early adopter of cutting edge agritech that shares benefits with local demonstration days or online reviews
- A land manager implementing the very latest practices to improve biodiversity and long term soil quality
- A business implementing techniques to take animal welfare and disease control beyond legislative requirements
- A business making dynamic changes to their business model to pivot to market demands
Best Food and Drink Producer sponsored by Fountain Fresh Imports
This award is sponsored by Fountain Fresh Imports.
We are looking for businesses producing a high-quality product with a strong marketplace reaction. These are products that put Norfolk on the map, inside and outside of the county boundary.
Enthusiasm and passion from the business owners and employees will need to shine through.
Food
- Must produce a finished product
- Primary producers and secondary processors can apply
- Production site must be based in Norfolk
Examples could be a:
- Meat producer
- Pie maker
- Chocolate maker
Drink
- Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage makers can apply
- The production site must be based in Norfolk
Examples could be a:
- Winemaker
- Brewer
- Apple juice producer
Norfolk's 'Unsung Hero' sponsored by Poultec
This award is sponsored by Poultec.
We welcome nominations for individuals who have gone the extra mile to deliver wider benefits to the rural economy. An individual can represent a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME).
We will be looking for people who have made a notable difference. This could be:
- Someone who has undertaken significant fundraising for a good cause
- Somebody who has shown exceptional commitment to supporting their local community
- Someone who has been working actively behind the scenes
- An individual who is going above and beyond to support Norfolk's rural economy
Examples could be:
- A vet who goes above and beyond
- An agricultural mechanic who comes out to assist breakdowns in any weather and at any time
Best Food and Farming Champion sponsored by CLG Norfolk
This award is sponsored by CLG Norfolk.
Applicant details:
- Need to be working in a rural and/or agricultural background
- Need to evidence their work advocating Norfolk food and farming
- Nominations are welcome
We will be looking for:
- Somebody who goes the extra mile to get their message across, whether within local circles or taking the local message to a national stage
- Somebody with an ability to educate and inspire others and to lead on important issues
- An overriding passion to effect positive change while communicating a real affiliation and respect for food and farming
- A drive to maximise the potential of food and farming in Norfolk
Examples could be:
- A farmer who educates their local community on farming practice by running open farm Sunday and offering a programme of school visits
- An advocate working with research expertise to evolve food and farming practice to combat environmental challenges
Best Emerging Talent sponsored by PlantGrow
This award is sponsored by PlantGrow.
Applicant details:
- Someone working in an agricultural business
- Someone looking to enter farming in Norfolk
- Someone working within an industry that directly supports farming
- Aged up to 30
We are looking for:
- Passion with a capital P
- The applicant's determination to succeed to shine through
- Individual vision
- A demonstration of how their journey is being achieved through listening and learning
Farming - like all sectors - evolves and we want to clearly see an optimism for the future.
Examples could be:
- A person showing maturity beyond their years and going beyond what is reasonably expected of them
- Someone helping to modernise a business by introducing new thinking
- Someone starting their own business
Best Rural Tourism Attraction sponsored by Thursford
This award is sponsored by Thursford.
Applicant details:
- Attractions must be in Norfolk
- Can include diversified activities
- Environmental consideration within business offers will be important
We are looking for the shining lights with high standards that provide part of the complimentary offer Norfolk presents to domestic and international tourism. We will also view favourably attractions that support their resident communities with inclusive initiatives. Areas of interest are:
- Visitor numbers
- Local businesses that work with attractions
- Feedback and previous awards won
- Any memberships that enhance standard levels
Examples could include attractions that highlight Norfolk's natural assets or support a very rural area, bringing in significant footfall that benefits the wider local economy. Visitor experience will be a key strength.
Best Woman in Agriculture sponsored by Lovewell Blake
Applicant details:
- Must be actively engaged in the agricultural sector or in a role that significantly supports agricultural development in Norfolk
- Be able to demonstrate their impact and contribution to the sector
To celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we are introducing a category that highlights the role women play in the agricultural sector in Norfolk. We are looking for applications and nominations for women who have played a significant part in advancing individual businesses, supporting businesses to progress or moving the sector forward. We want to see passion and determination and the ability to clearly show the impact you have made.
Examples could be:
- Someone playing a key role within an agricultural business that helped to lead improvement through modernising or diversified activity
- Someone who works in agricultural support services
- Someone who demonstrates active involvement in mentoring, education, outreach, or sector representation
Best Rural Business sponsored by New Anglia Growth Hub
This award is sponsored by New Anglia Growth Hub.
Applicant details:
- The organisation must be based in Norfolk
- A business or an association or a group may apply
The business must demonstrate why it feels it is the best rural business. This could be:
- Growth trajectory
- How it treats employees
- How it works with other businesses to achieve high standards
- How it champions Norfolk
- Highlighting activity and engagement beyond business as usual
Ideally, the business should also demonstrate how it is keeping to its rural connections, for example giving back to the community.
We will be looking for:
- Evidence to back up claims made
- Any testimonies to support the application
- A clear journey of the business over the last few years, outlining the key decisions taken, reasons for those decisions, the impact and plans to progress in the future
Examples could be:
- A technology business that has grown its workforce significantly over a short period of time and is looking to retain staff through investment in training
- A business that lends staff to community need like maintaining visibility at a road junction
