Call for entries for the region’s premier Farm Diversification Competition

Ashtons Legal, in partnership with The Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA) is calling for entries for its prestigious Best Alternative Land Enterprise (BALE) award, now in its 26th year.

Open to all farm businesses throughout Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex with buildings or land on their farms, the annual award is the only one of its type in the region and recognises and rewards imaginative and commercial alternative non-agricultural uses of the land and positive effects on the local economy. Previous winners have included a cheese making enterprise, log cabin holiday accommodation, a wedding and outdoor event venue, a farm shop, care home and a children’s nursery.

This year the judges are Jonathan Long, Partner and Head of Agriculture and Estates at Ashton Legal, The Earl of Iveagh, President of the SAA, and Wendy Houston, from last year’s winning enterprise, MPS Agri Ltd.The judging will take place on 28 and 29 September and entries must be submitted by Monday 11 September.

The winners, who win the Ashtons Challenge Cup and £2,000 of legal advice, will be announced at the Annual SAA Agricultural Awards dinner to be held at Trinity Parkon Thursday 19th October 2017. The second prizewinner and the Best Newcomer both receive £1,000 of legal advice and there is a £500 legal health check for the Best “Green Practice”. All entrants receive two complimentary tickets to attend the event.

Wendy Houston, last year’s BALE Award winner said: “To be recognised amongst such a high level of entrants as winners was a huge boost to us both personally and professionally and more importantly, to all of our staff.The competition highlights the industries tucked away in rural locations bringing innovation, employment and opportunities to our region and has raised our profile significantly.The Award helped us to evaluate what we have achieved and has encouraged us to continue to look forward.”

Jonathan Long said: “Ashtons is delighted to be sponsoring the BALE Award once again this year and that it will be part of the annual agricultural awards dinner for the fifth year running, giving the Award the profile it deserves.

We have seen time and time again how bringing in professionals, such as solicitors, enables farmers and landowners to diversify and set up new and exciting ventures without taking anything away from their farming business. I am always astounded by the high quality and sheer variety of the entries we receive each year and look forward to this year’s judging process.”

Please note all entrants must be members of the Association or apply for membership, at a cost of £60.00, at the time of entering. All entries must be received by Monday 11 September 2017.

Pictured: Best Newcomer 2016.