Date: 23 January 2012
Author: Jonathan Long

On Monday 30 January, we will be announcing the winners of the BALE (Best Alternative Land Enterprise) Awards at Trinity Park in Ipswich.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of BALE, which was set up in 1992 by Ashton KCJ and the Suffolk Agricultural Association. In recognition of this, this year’s award is a ‘Champion of Champions’, open to the winners from the past ten years.

The award is open to agricultural businesses across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex and has been recognised as the region’s premier farming diversification competition. The competition acknowledges farmers and landowners who have adapted their business to a rapidly changing industry by setting up new and entrepreneurial enterprises.

Judging of the award took place in November 2011, by the Rt Hon the Lord Deben, Margaret Holland (who won the very first BALE Award for her Farmhouse Cooking enterprise) and Jonathan Long, Partner and Head of Ashton KCJ’s Agriculture and Estates team. As well as awarding first prize to the best farming diversification business, there is also an award for the best Green business.

The standard of entries has been high, with many deserving businesses shortlisted, including an equestrian centre, a pet cemetery and crematorium, a business centre, a housing development and a wedding venue. Since originally winning the award, many of the entrants have expanded their businesses and are attracting higher visitor numbers and taking on more staff - which is providing jobs for local people.

Jonathan Long said: “Ashton KCJ’s agricultural team has been working with the region’s farmers and landowners for many years, offering advice to our clients on how they can enhance their business and adapt it to changes in the agricultural sector. Being involved in BALE helps bring all of this together. We are proud that twenty years on, the awards are still going and have gone from strength to strength. Judging so many worthwhile entries was a difficult process, but we’re really looking forward to announcing the winner next week.”