The Royal Countryside Fund is this year’s ‘Farming Hero’

At a glittering awards ceremony in Birmingham, members of the RCF team were presented with the Farming Hero award at the 2025 British Farming Awards by comedian Russell Kane. 

Keith Halstead, The Royal Countryside Fund’s Executive Director, said: “We are both humbled and honoured to receive this prestigious award which recognises the collective effort – staff, trustees, supporters, partners and funders – in building a real future for rural Britain. It is particularly special for us to receive this award in our 15th anniversary year, when the need for our support is ever greater today than it was when His Majesty The King established the RCF in 2010. We hope this award will help increase the visibility of the RCF’s work and support, so that we can do so much more, as His Majesty envisioned.” 

The British Farming Awards, now in its 13th year, celebrates the achievements of pioneering farmers and organisations for their commitment, resilience and innovation in an industry that consistently serves the nation. It is hosted by Farmers Guardian and supported by one of our corporate partners, Morrisons. 

The judges selected The Royal Countryside Fund as this year’s ‘Farming Hero’ for the charity’s visibility and contribution within the agricultural industry, supporting both family farms and rural communities. 

Another success of the evening came from the new ‘Women in Agriculture’ category, which was introduced this year. The award was won by RCF trustee Baroness Kate Rock in recognition of her advocacy for the tenanted and farming sector in general, including The Rock Review, which she chaired and published in 2022. 

Our congratulations to all nominees and winners of this year’s British Farming Awards, and our thanks to Farmers Guardian and our partners at Morrisons. We are so honoured to support such fantastic, hardworking and vital people!