Britain's Fittest Farmer
Britain’s Fittest Farmer was launched by Farmers Weekly in 2018 as a fun way of sparking a vital discussion about the physical and mental health of the nation’s farmers.
As farming becomes less active and more mechanised and office-based, it’s more important than ever before to make sure Britain’s farmers are getting the exercise that they need to stay fit and healthy.
Farming can also be an isolating job, which is why it is also vital for farmers to focus on their own mental health and wellbeing so that they can keep their business in tip-top condition too.
This competition aims to get all farmers thinking and talking about their health, physical and mental, to make sure they are in top condition to run their farm businesses.
How it works:
ROUND 1: APPLY ONLINE
There are four categories in this competition:
- men under 40s
- women under 40s
- men over 40s
- women over 40s
We’re looking to crown four individuals who prove themselves to be admirable ambassadors of health and wellbeing in farming.
To apply, go to the apply now page. You will need to send a photo or short video of yourself engaged in a fitness activity, tell us how you keep mentally and physically fit and what your connection to agriculture is. We will review all applications and then contact the contestants going through to the next round.
ROUND 2: THE QUALIFYING HEATS
After making sure you meet the judging criteria, you’ll be invited to show us what you’ve got by competing in a qualifier event at the following locations:
- Lincolnshire Show, 18 June 2025
- Great Yorkshire Show, 8 July 2025
- Royal Highland Show 24 July 2025
This will be your shot at reaching the final stages of the competition – facing a series of tough physical challenges designed to test your speed, strength and stamina.
From this round, we’ll be selecting 10 men and 10 women under 40 and up to 10 men and 10 women over 40 to proceed to the final stages of the competition.
ROUND 3: THE INTERVIEWS
The Farmers Weekly judge and a judge from the competition’s charity partner The Farming Community Network (FCN) will judge the finalists’ mental health awareness.
Each competitor will also be judged on their suitability for becoming an ambassador for mental health in the industry.
ROUND 4: THE FINAL
Our finalists will face one last challenge, the ultimate physical assault course designed to test their speed, power and endurance.
Points from each round will be combined with scores from the interview round to see one man and one woman under 40 and one man and one woman over 40 emerge as Britain’s Fittest Farmers 2025.
2023 Winners
Last year BFF finals took place on 17th September 2023 at Tom Kemp’s Farm Fitness Gym in Essex, with competitors competing in three different categories: Men, Women, and new for 2022 – Mixed Over 40s.
Congratulations to everyone who took part and last year’s winners
Men under 40: John Carlisle
Women under 40: Heidi Wilson
Over 40s: Richard Peck
