Norfolk farmer wins Farmer of the Year at 2026 awards

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

Fourth-generation Norfolk farmer James Chapman has won Farmer of the Year at the 2026 Farmers Weekly Awards, also claiming the arable trophy. The award was one of several won by Norfolk farmers at the ceremony. Mr Chapman, who farms between Marsham and Rollesby near Great Yarmouth, said his success came from 'a passion for producing food in a sustainable way, but also doing it in the right manner to look after the wider countryside, while assessing opportunities and taking them if they're right to support your business'.

He credited his farm team of James Bailey, Sam Playford and Henry Gotte, alongside his wife Donna and 18-year-old son Toby, who is studying at Harper Adams University. Mr Chapman said the awards had 'put Norfolk back on the map', giving the county's voice 'volume to shout about homegrown food'.

He expressed plans to use his award to 'put something back into the industry by educating the general public about food and food security, but also by doing more farm visits for the local people'. He described himself as 'quite humbled' by the recognition, saying his close farm team were 'integral to everything we do'.

How it is being reported

• Farmer of the Year says Norfolk now has a louder voice to shout about British foodFarmer of the Year James Chapman has revealed the strategies behind his success - and his desire to use Norfolk farming's heightened profile to champion British agriculture.Eastern Daily Press · 17 Oct, 06:00
• Farmer of the Year says Norfolk now has a louder voice to shout about British foodFarmer of the Year James Chapman has revealed the strategies behind his success - and his desire to use Norfolk farming's heightened profile to champion British agriculture.Norwich Evening News · 17 Oct, 06:00

In this story: James Chapman · Norfolk · Farmers Weekly Awards · Great Yarmouth · Marsham · Rollesby · Harper Adams University

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