Joe Evans of Green Cow Kitchens was chosen at the Three Counties Farming Conference as the UK’s first Young Agricultural Entrepreneur of the Year in a close-fought contest backed by Three Counties, Harrison Clark Rickerbys and Bruton Knowles.

The award, launched this summer at the Royal Three Counties Show, aims to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking of young agricultural entrepreneurs. Five were shortlisted and judges, Helen Thomas (MD, Westons Cider) and Charlie Beldham (Founder, Cotswold Gold) made the tough decision on the winner.

The five finalists included both traditional and innovative rural enterprises – Linda Eccles’s Sheep Sales near Chippenham aims to develop the best pure-bred sheep for breeding, while Tom Baker’s Rootsdown web development company in Wiltshire gives rural businesses excellent online presence which they can access on the move.

Callum Griffiths from Pontypridd has focused on ethical sourcing and sustainability for his poultry business, while James Miller offers traditional contracting services from two bases in Worcestershire and Devon, but focuses on smallholders.

Joe’s Green Cow Kitchens restaurant in Worcestershire, based in a former pigsty on the family’s estate, showcases the meat and game produced on the estate. From its beginnings as a pop-up restaurant, it has grown into one of the top three restaurants in the county, with outstanding reviews and a loyal customer base.

Mary Wathen, partner in the Agricultural and Rural Affairs team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, and one of the driving forces behind the award, said: “We wanted to recognise young people and young businesses in agriculture for all of their hard work and innovation. We hope that this award will grow and encourage other young entrepreneurs to showcase their business.

“I am delighted for Joe; not only does he receive £2,000 to invest in the business, but I hope that he has also made many new contacts and developed new business relationships because of the award – something which will stand him in good stead as the business goes forward.”

Joe said: “To be chosen as the winner against such strong competition is a real thrill. To have our “posh pigsty project” recognised by a national award is the most fantastic validation of the efforts of the entire team and it couldn’t have come at a better time. We are going to invest half of the money in new equipment for the kitchen, and the other half in upskilling our front of house team, myself included, plus marketing.”