Northern Farmer Awards 2023: Diversification of the Year finalists

The winners will be announced at a spectacular awards ceremony at Pavilions of Harrogate, the Great Yorkshire Showground, on Thursday, February 23, and ahead of that sparkling event, we are publishing mini-profiles of all our finalists.

Also to be revealed on the night will be the overall 2023 Northern Farmer of the Year, chosen by the panel of judges from the winners of the ten categories.

Finalists in Diversification of the Year, sponsored by Carr's Billington are:

Carrs Billington sponsors Diversification of the Year

Tom and Laura Platt, of Sandhall Farm, Skelton, near Goole, sold their first small batches of Listers Crisps in March 2019 after a long period of research into process, regulations and potato types. From producing 100kg of crisps per day using second hand crisping machinery, and selling them at markets, the brand has grown to include new production units making about 1,000kg of crisps a day, using ten to 15 per cent of the farm's total potato production.

The family farm across three sites, with about 1,500 acres, mainly cereals but with a total of about 200 acres always in potatoes.

Tom and Laura Platt

Tom has always had a passion for potatoes and an interest in different varieties. Getting extra value from the crop rather than having supermarkets and wholesalers backing them into a corner over prices was Tom’s aim. “It is a high risk crop,” he says, “and we needed to maximise our return.”

READ MORE: Northern Farmer Awards 2023, Young Farmer of the Year finalists

The crisps, named in tribute to Tom’s maternal grandfather who lost his farm when it was compulsorily purchased by the coal board, are made in five different flavours with two more on the horizon. There are three full time members of staff and four part time, as well as Tom and Laura.

They now supply artisan sellers, markets, farm shops, the hospitality industry and independent retailers and are building on the Yorkshire heritage side of the brand.

“Whenever you purchase a pack of our hand cooked crisps you aren’t just supporting your local shop pub or cafe but you are supporting the farms that feed the public day in day out 365 days a year,” they say.

The 2023 Norther Farmer Awards take place next week

Tom Bayston runs Pollington Grange Farm, East Yorkshire, in partnership with his parents Rachel and William. Home to a 900-acre arable operation, including winter wheat, oilseed rape, maize and sugar beet, carrots and parsnips, Tom also runs a separate business growing potatoes alongside his business partner Tim Carr.

Tom Bayston

He divides his time between the farm and the other enterprises that are now part of the business, including a shooting ground. The idea came about in 2004 when Tom was taking shooting lessons having had to give up rugby due to injury, and an instructor suggested there was a need for more facilities.

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After two years of research, once planning permission was granted, the clay pigeon shooting ground opened in 2006, and is aimed at social shooters, game shooters and the corporate market. Set in 44 acres of wide-open terrain, Park Lodge Shooting School soon expanded to include a café/bistro and later a bar, while events and weddings are catered for in three rooms. Further expansion has grown the retail area to include a gift and countrywear shop overseen by Tom's wife Sharon and an operations manager.

Some ground is set aside for use as a motocross track, and planning permission has been granted to put up 12 wooden tepees, plus a two storey barn to seat 120 people, to be used for glamping and weddings.

The business is still evolving, and there is still scope to expand further. Tom enjoys all sides of the business and all its different challenges. He says he is still very much a farmer, but with an eye to the future is aware he needs other lines of income to provide a future for his family.

READ MORE: Northern Farmer Awards 2023, Sheep Farmer of the Year finalists

Adam Palmer took over the 330 acre family farm when he was only 19, in 2000, on the death of his maternal grandfather. North Breckenholme Farm, in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds near Malton, grows just over 200 acres of arable crops and has about 100 acres of grass. There are 1,200 B&B pigs which are contract reared and since 2010 Adam has farmed 1,500 commercial ewes, in partnership with a neighbour.

The Palmer family

When Adam took over the farm, he was aware that something else was needed to ensure its future security. With the support of family and friends, the family successfully launched Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil, a premium quality, extra virgin, cold-pressed oil made from home and Wolds grown rape seed, in 2008 and introduced the second brand Charlie & Ivy’s – named after Adam and wife Jennie's children – in 2014.

Breckenholme Trading Company Limited is now family business specialising in the production of cold pressed rapeseed oil. They produce their own brands alongside pressing oil for bulk order clients, export contracts, and offer white label contract pressing, bottling, and manufacturing.

The Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil is a Great Taste two-star gold award-winning rapeseed oil that is used in Michelin-starred kitchens.

The business has grown rapidly and now in the 15th year of production, has a turnover of £1m. The product range has expanded accordingly to more than 50, and the business now employs 15 people, including Adam, Jennie and his parents Ben and Esther.

Where possible they use local ingredients and like to collaborate with other fellow artisan producers, while the whole team is passionate about promoting Yorkshire produce.