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THE BALE AWARD 2006

The 2006 Best Alternative Land Enterprise (BALE) Award, the Suffolk Agricultural Association’s annual farm diversification competition, has been launched. Long term

The 2006 BALE award judges, Jonathan Long (centre) and John Kerr, with last years winner, Sarah Ling from Valley Farm.

partners, Ashton Graham Solicitors are once again sponsoring the competition. The BALE Award offers a top prize of £1000 and is renowned as the region’s premier farm diversification competition.

The competition aims to find the best diversification businesses in the region and is open to farmers from Suffolk and adjoining counties – Essex, Norfolk and Cambridge. Competitors may submit any diversification business they are running from the land or buildings on their farm. Businesses are judged on their commercial, creative and practical merits, including their contribution to the local economy.

Past winners have included childrens’ nurseries, conference room facilities, equestrian centres, a bakery, holiday accommodation and a vineyard. Last year’s winner was Valley Farm Riding Centre, an activities based riding school in Wickham Market.

This year’s judges are John Kerr, President of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, Jonathan Long, Senior Agricultural Partner of Ashton Graham Solicitors and Sarah Ling of Valley Farm Riding Centre. The judges will be visiting all entrants on 5 and 6 October and will spend approximately an hour at each enterprise.

The first prize winner will be awarded the Ashton Graham Challenge Cup along with £1,000 to spend on the winning enterprise. Second prize winner will receive £250 and there is also a special category for best newcomer, which is open to any first time entry that has been in business for less than three years. Best newcomer also wins £250.

Jonathan Long, Agricultural Partner at Ashton Graham commented, 'Having been instrumental in the creation of the BALE award in 1992, we are delighted to continue our long term relationship with the Suffolk Agricultural Association and be involved in the 2006 competition. We are always impressed by the high standard of the entrants for the BALE award and I am sure that this year will be no exception. Given the difficult challenges farmers are currently facing, it is encouraging that, via this award, we can witness new commercial and innovative ways farmers are developing their businesses'.

For an entry form please contact the Suffolk Agricultural Association on 01473 707110 or email sue.bennitt@suffolkshow.co.uk. Completed forms must be returned by Monday 18 September. An Awards Presentation and Lunch will take place later in the year for all entrants. Competitors must be members of the Suffolk Agricultural Association and be available to meet the judges on either of the two judging days. The competition is open to both new and past entrants.

Entry forms can also be obtained by contacting Alison Hamilton from Ashton Graham Solicitors on 01473 232425.

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