Duchy student Harley Weston’s 250-acre farm plan wins top award

Most 20-year-olds are not planning a quarter of a century ahead. Harley Weston has, down to the crop rotation, the livestock and the grain dryer. And a panel of judges liked what they saw.

Harley, who is studying for an FdSc Agriculture degree at Duchy College, has been named the winner of the Crediton Milling Farm Business Apprentice 2026 Award. He was recognised as one of the South West’s brightest young farming talents at an official award ceremony this month.

A 25-year plan for a 250-acre farm

The challenge asked entrants to put together a proposal for a 25-year Farm Business Tenancy and present it to a panel of judges. Harley’s business plan covered a 250-acre farm, combining regenerative agriculture, livestock and investment in grain storage and drying facilities.

Judges were impressed by what the release describes as a forward-thinking and commercially focused approach to running a farm.

“I was delighted to win the Crediton Milling Farm Business Apprentice 2026 challenge, where I created a proposal for a 25-year Farm Business Tenancy and presented it to a panel of judges,” said Harley.

Bringing the degree to the table

For Harley, the competition was a chance to pull together everything he has picked up so far, both in the lecture room and out on the land.

“My proposal focused on developing a profitable, resilient and commercially focused farming business, combining a regenerative arable rotation, livestock integration, and grain storage and drying,” he said.

“The challenge allowed me to bring together the knowledge and skills I have developed through my FdSc Agriculture degree at Duchy College, alongside my practical farming and wider industry experience.”

Two Duchy students in the final

Harley was one of two Duchy College agriculture degree students to reach the awards. Joe Whittick was also recognised as a finalist.

The annual competition and ceremony was held at the Waie Inn, bringing together the finalists, their families and friends, the judges and representatives from Crediton Milling to celebrate the next generation of farming talent.

Judges Di Wastenage MBE, Tim Martin and Tom Cleave praised the high standard of entries, highlighting the knowledge, energy and professionalism shown throughout the application and interview process.

What the award is for

The Crediton Milling Farm Business Apprentice Award is designed to give young people the chance to show how they would handle the commercial and practical challenges of running a modern farm business.

Duchy College is the specialist arm of The Cornwall College Group, focusing on courses for the rural economy, health and wellbeing and business sectors. It has two main campuses in Cornwall, at Stoke Climsland near Callington and Rosewarne near Camborne, and both sit on working farms. Stoke Climsland is the larger of the two, stretching across 660 acres of countryside. Details of courses are on the Duchy College website.

📷Harley Weston, Farm Business Apprentice 2026