Winners at Norfolk Rural Business Awards showcase excellence across sectors

A teenage farmer keeping a rare breed of cattle going, a pioneering vineyard and a popular community hub were among the diverse group of winners at this year's Norfolk Rural Business Awards. 

Individuals, businesses and local organisations who lead by example in our rural areas were recognised in a ceremony held in the Long Acre tent at the Royal Norfolk Show on Thursday 25 June.  

Norfolk Rural Business Awards are organised by Norfolk County Council in partnership with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association to showcase the best our rural county has to offer, and the event is now a firm fixture on the county's calendar. 

This year's winners and runners up are: 

Best Rural Community Initiative sponsored by Pearn Wyatt Transport Ltd  

Winner: Pickenham Community Hub 

Runner up: Finding Magic 

Best Rural Innovation in Practice, sponsored by Birketts 

Winner: Traditional Norfolk Poultry 

Runner up: Morley SAMS 

Best Food and Drink Producer sponsored by Fountain Fresh 

Winner: Flint Vineyard 

Runner up: Mabel The Bakery 

Norfolk's Unsung Hero sponsored by Poultec 

Winner: Nigel Barnett 

Runner up: Dan Zaharia 

Best Food and Farming Champion sponsored by CLG Norfolk Ltd 

Winner: Poul Hovesen 

Runner up: Michael Balls 

Best Emerging Talent sponsored by PlantGrow 

Winner: Maxwell Eagle 

Runner up: Henry Parkinson 

Best Tourism Attraction sponsored by Thursford  

Winner: Wroxham Barns 

Runner up: The Bug Parc 

Best Woman in Agriculture sponsored by Lovewell Blake 

Winner: Emily Winter 

Runner up: Helen Reeve 

Best Rural Business sponsored by New Anglia Growth Hub 

Winner: Environair Systems Ltd 

Runners up: LV Bespoke, Norfolk & Better

Chris Starkie, Director of Strategy, Growth & Investment at Norfolk County Council said: "This year's winners and runners up really showcased the excellence across a range of sectors in our rural areas. The Norfolk Rural Business Awards play a vital role in championing the strength and diversity of our rural economy. By recognising excellence and sharing success stories, they help build confidence, attract investment and ensure rural Norfolk continues to thrive." 

Mark Nicholas, CEO of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association said: "These awards are so important because they recognise the heart and soul of rural Norfolk - our hardworking businesses, passionate entrepreneurs and the communities they support. They remind us just how vital rural enterprise is to the character and success of our county." 

For more information and photographs of specific winners, please contact [email protected]