Northern Farmer Awards 2023: Women in Agriculture finalists

The winners in all ten categories will be announced at the ceremony at Pavilions of Harrogate, the Great Yorkshire Showground, tomorrow, before the overall 2023 Northern Farmer of the Year will be revealed.

Finalists for Women in Agriculture, sponsored by George F White

George F. White

Becca Wilson is a 27 year old who was brought up on the family farm – Hundayfield Farm, Grafton – and is now the fifth generation to farm there.

It is a 600-acre mixed farm, which has been purely arable for the past ten years. However, Becca and her twin sister Rosie wanted to reintroduce sheep, which they did three years ago. They now have a flock of 120 Suffolk cross and Texel cross ewes, which are put to a Beltex tup.

Lambs are sold through Bentham Mart, where Rosie works. In 2022, they achieved market topping prices in both the spring lamb and store market.

They will carry on growing their flock, investing in buying in young replacement ewes when needed to utilise both the permanent pasture on the farm but also the short term clover leys that are used to widen the rotation.

After graduating from Cambridge University, Becca eventually returned to the north to work, where she met Lizzie McLaughlin. Lizzie had pursued a university education in art and design but was passionate about rural life.

Lizzie McLaughlin & Becca Wilson

The two of them launched Boots & Heels three years ago, an online podcast about farming matters and women's roles in agriculture aimed specifically at young women.

It has gone on to be hugely successful with the third series now in progress. Last year, the podcast reached more than 1.5m people through YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and special guests have included the NFU president, Minette Batters, and Countryfile presenter, Adam Hensen.

Both women are also for Yellow Wellies, the mental health charity.

Northern Farmer Awards 2023

Single mum Lyn Arrowsmith operates from a small-holding of 38 acres (25 acres owned and the rest rented) at Upper Town Farm, Raskelf, near York. She is dedicated to producing rare and native-breed breed animals to preserve and promote them to the best of her ability. She also produces and sells rare breed meat, including from Irish Moiled cattle (18 in total including steers), rare breed sheep, such as Boreray and Soay from the Hebrides, and Saddleback pigs.

Lyn Arrowsmith

The farm is run by Lyn with help from her parents, Mary and Gerry Horner, and sons Thomas, 17, and Jack, 16. Both boys are still studying and plan to go to university but will continue to show sheep and be involved in showing and preserving rare breed animals.

Once Lyn sources new breeds she will breed on the farm and sell to other breeders. Lyn works closely with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, both for breeding purposes to ensure a wider genetic mix in her breeds, and for increased geographic spread of rare breeds.

All Lyn’s meat is sold direct from the farm and at a local farmers' market – she has regular customers who are always keen to hear when the next batch will be available.

She is chairman of the York Support Group of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and assists with its displays, including at the Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live and Springtime Live in Harrogate. She has appeared several times on Channel 5’s Springtime on the Farm.

Lyn also does school and club visits and welcomes visitors to the farm.

Rachel Murdoch, 28, has lived at Fridlington Farms, Easingwold, all of her life. Her dad Ian has been employed as shepherd there for 36 years and now he is easing towards retirement, Rachel is more than capable of stepping up and the farm owners are happy for her to do so.

There was always a need for two shepherds on the farm and when the vacancy arose for someone to work full time alongside her dad Rachel applied and got the post. Having helped out since childhood she already knew the land and the stock very well. She moved from being unofficial part time helper to official full time shepherd over a year ago.

Rachel Murdoch

Rachel was at Askham Bryan College studying agriculture when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her course was cut short and she spent time in hospital and then recuperating, effectively losing three years while being treated.

As her strength returned she began working as a self employed shepherd, gaining more experience until the vacancy arose at Fridlington for a full-time shepherd to work alongside her dad.

The farm is 3,000 acres owned with a further 5-600 acres of rented land, and is a mixed farm. Rachel (and Ian) has responsibility for the sheep flock, which comprises 2,500 ewes plus replacements, with about 800 shearlings at any one time.

She is a member of the NSA and also the Teeswater Breed Society. She is also a member of the International Sheep Dog Trial Association and the local Ryedale Sheepdog Trial Group. Seven years ago, she represented Britain in Ireland as a Young Handler at national level.