Norfolk Rural Business Awards

Norfolk County Council and the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association would like to announce the Norfolk Rural Business Awards 2025.

There are ten sponsored category areas aimed at showcasing a wide range of our best businesses, community groups and people.

• These awards officially launched at the Norfolk Farming Conference on the 11 February 2025
• The closing date for applications will be 21 April 2025
• The awards ceremony will take place on the 26 June 2025 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 

After the closing date, the judging panel will create a shortlist. The panel will visit the shortlisted applicants.  

You may only apply under one award category. We'll contact you if we receive applications for more than one category. At that stage you'll need to tell us under which category you'd like us to consider you.

We've designed our forms to make sure applications are consistent. The judges will use your application form to make their decision. When applying please:

• Use the word count guide
• Check you've included enough detail

[Apply for an award or make a nomination.]

Award categories

Best Rural Community Initiative sponsored by Aviva

• Needs to be a business, or community facing entity, that benefits wider rural community.
• Applicants will 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 buy in and pride of place. Feedback from target beneficiaries 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

This award is sponsored by Aviva.

Best Farming Innovation Adopter sponsored by Lovewell Blake

• Applicants will need to show how investment in innovation has impacted their business
• Applicants will need to be from a Norfolk based farm
• Ideally, applicants will show how any learning has influenced others and led to positive change

We will be looking for businesses that are in tune with the pace of change in farming. These businesses will be the early adopters that the largest section of the industry follow. They are prepared to take risks because of the potential benefits beyond the business bottom line.

Examples could be:

• An early adopter of cutting edge agritech that shares benefits with local demonstration days
• A business that shares equipment and benefits through a co-operative approach

This award is sponsored by Lovewell Blake.

Best Food Producer sposored by Fountain Fresh Imports

• Must produce a finished product
• Primary producers and secondary processors can apply
• Production site must be based in Norfolk

We would be looking for businesses producing a high-quality product with a marketplace reaction to back that up. 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.

Examples could be:

• A meat producer
• A pie maker 
• A chocolate maker

This award is sponsored by Fountain Fresh Imports.

Norfolk's 'Unsung Hero' sponsored by Breckland District Council

• 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), producing wider benefits to the rural economy

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

An 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

This award is sponsored by Breckland District Council.

Best Drink Producer sponsored by Woodforde's Brewery

• Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage makers can apply
• The production site must be based in Norfolk

We will be looking for:

• Businesses producing a high-quality product with a marketplace reaction to back that up
• 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

Examples could be a winemaker, a brewer or an apple juice producer.

This award is sponsored by Woodforde's Brewery.

Best Farming Champion sponsored by CLG Norfolk Ltd

• Applicants will need to be from a Norfolk based farm
• Applicants will need to evidence their work through third-party endorsement
• Nominations are welcome.

We will be looking for:

• Evidence of going the extra mile
• An ability to educate and inspire
• People who are taking positive action because something isn't right
• People who can effect positive change in others

An example would be a farmer who educates their local community on farming practice by running open farm Sunday and offering a programme of school visits.

This award is sponsored by CLG Norfolk Ltd.

Best Emerging Talent sponsored by PlantGrow

• Must be from a Norfolk farm
• 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 to realisation 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 out with their own business

This award is sponsored by PlantGrow.

Best Rural Business sponsored by New Anglia Growth Hub

• 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 or 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.  Another example might be a business that lends staff to community need like maintaining visibility at a road junction.

This award is sponsored by New Anglia Growth Hub.

Best Sustainable Land Use sponsored by Birketts LLP

• Site or sites must be based in Norfolk
• Sustainability from environmental, economic and community angles will all be considered
• Outside acknowledgement of impact will add validation

We are looking for interventions that have delivered real measurable impact or early-stage trailblazers. We are interested in those looking to accelerate, or even change the direction of travel, to add value to sustainable land management. This could be from one business or organisation or larger multi-partner projects.

Examples could include:

• Early adopters of the new Environmental Land Management (ELMS) agenda
• A Farm acting from an environmental rationale as simply the right thing to do in their role as land custodians

This award is sponsored by Birketts LLP.

Best Rural Tourism Attraction

• 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 the domestic and international markets.  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.