James Chapman, based at Rollesby near Great Yarmouth, was crowned Farmer of the Year at the 2026 Farmers Weekly Awards, as well as winning the arable category.

He was praised for identifying local business opportunities, combined with successfully building a new farmyard within a tight deadline, achieving "consistently high crop yields even in challenging seasons", and a strong environmental focus on managing sensitive landscapes.

Awards judges were also impressed by his "inspiring" involvement with the wider farming community, working with East Coast Growers and HDC Farming, and as a member of the Fleggmart beet lifting co-op and Anglia Pea Growers.

The judges said: “A fourth-generation arable farmer,........

© Norwich Evening News