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For thirteen years, the has shone a light on the best in British Farming. During this annual event, Britain's farming industry comes together to celebrate the achievements of its contemporaries. 

Some of our finalists have an agricultural background and others are new to the industry, but all of these students demonstrate impressive self-motivation, initiative, ability and an impressive commitment to agriculture outside of academic life.  

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Finalists

Elektra Brown - Derbyshire  

Derbyshire's Elektra Brown, a final-year Integrated Masters student in Animal Science at the University of Nottingham, has been named a finalist with recognition of her ability to combine top-tier academic achievement with deep practical experience. 

Specialising in livestock production, Elektra's academic work has zeroed in on pressing dairy industry issues. Her third-year dissertation explored the impact of feed efficiency on fertility and the carbon footprint of lactating cows, while her current thesis investigates the effects of mycotoxins in silage on dairy production. Both projects aim to deliver research with direct on-farm benefits. 

Her academic insight is matched by years of hands-on involvement. Over four years as a calf rearer, she has been entrusted with critical welfare decisions, from vaccination and dehorning to nutrition planning. This dedication earned her the prestigious RABDF Farm Health Management Award, reflecting her commitment to preventative herd health across dairy, beef, and sheep enterprises. 

Beyond her studies, Elektra is an active member of her local Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Club, competing in public speaking and carcass judging. She is equally passionate about inspiring the next generation, especially those without farming backgrounds, through her university agricultural society involvement. A former competitive Alpine ski racer and school hockey captain, Elektra credits sport with shaping her resilience, teamwork, and leadership. 

Looking ahead, she hopes to work in advisory, consultancy, or on-farm management, applying evidence-based solutions to boost productivity, sustainability, and welfare in livestock systems. For her, the sector's future lies in precision farming, innovative nutrition strategies, and greater public engagement, ensuring British agriculture thrives for generations to come. 

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Olivia (Coco) Jalloh - Sussex  

Sussex-based Olivia "Coco" Jalloh, a final-year Extended Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture student at Plumpton College, is a finalist for Agricultural Student of the Year, a testament to her determination, resilience, and passion for changing perceptions within the farming industry. 

Coco's journey has been far from straightforward. At secondary school, she faced repeated racism, battled undiagnosed autism, ADHD and OSNDD, and was often treated as a discipline problem. Despite being told she was "too academically capable" to be a farmer, she left school with excellent grades and a clear goal, to pursue her dream career in agriculture. 

At Plumpton, she has thrived, finding her place within the farming community while also using her growing social media platform (15.5k followers) to highlight diversity, neurodiversity, and mental health in British agriculture. Her online presence has not been without challenges, with Coco facing racist abuse, but she has turned these experiences into a powerful drive to inspire others and educate the industry. 

Her advocacy work extends beyond farming; she is also heavily involved in British basketball, managing safeguarding and running tables for Storm Basketball. She balances this with caring for her horse, Radley. 

Proudly featured in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian and invited back to her old school as a role model, Coco now plans to study veterinary medicine, specialising in large animal practice. Her mission is clear: to create a more inclusive farming industry where young people of all backgrounds can see themselves represented and supported. 

Kirsty Brownlee - Cumbria  

Cumbria-based Kirsty Brownlee, a third-year BSc Honours Agriculture student at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), is making waves in the farming world despite not coming from a farming background. Her journey into agriculture began with visits to a local sheep farm she had known since childhood, later working there for eight years before making the bold move from Edinburgh to North Cumbria, the place that ignited her passion for the industry. 

Kirsty's love for farming is hands-on and heartfelt. This summer, she took full control of 22 pet lambs, managing their feeding, health, and fattening decisions, alongside training her first working collie, Ted. She shares her farming life through her Instagram account, @kirsty.and.the.farmy.army, using it to bridge the gap between farmers and the wider public. 

Her determination to push herself is evident, from overcoming her nerves to visit an abattoir during her studies, to securing a dream role working in the competitions department at the Royal Highland Show. Kirsty is also a passionate advocate for farm safety, raising £330 for the Farm Safety Foundation through a 100-mile fundraising challenge. 

Looking ahead, she hopes to combine a consultancy career in livestock nutrition with contract shepherding, bringing together scientific insight and practical expertise. She is also committed to tackling key industry challenges, from climate adaptation research to the responsible use of agricultural technology. 

For Kirsty, being named Agricultural Student of the Year would be more than personal recognition, it would be a tribute to the farmers and mentors who have supported her journey and inspired her to make a lasting difference in the sector. 

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George Elliott - Derbyshire   

Agricultural Student of the Year finalist George Elliott, has carved an impressive path in the farming sector, fuelled by a fascination with machinery, innovation, and sustainable agriculture. Currently in his final year of an Agriculture with Mechanisation degree at Harper Adams University, George's journey began on his grandfather's smallholding, evolving into a career-defining placement and scholarship with JCB Agriculture. 

Despite not coming from a traditional farming background, George has immersed himself in every opportunity, from hands-on arable work to precision machinery and business management. His academic excellence, leadership roles mentoring younger students, and contributions to industry discussions showcase his commitment to shaping the sector's future. His final-year research on agricultural telematics reflects his drive to harness data to boost machinery performance and farm efficiency. 

Beyond his studies, George is active in Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø, a Grade 6 pianist and organist supporting rural community events, and an entrepreneur buying, restoring, and selling vintage machinery. These ventures have honed both his technical and business skills, strengthening his understanding of agricultural heritage and innovation. 

His vision for the industry tackles some of farming's most pressing challenges: low adoption of precision technologies, environmental pressures, and labour shortages. George is passionate about demonstrating the real-world benefits of AI-driven insights, variable rate applications, and sustainable machinery strategies to farmers both in the UK and abroad. 

After graduation, George will take up a full-time role as an Agricultural Sales Engineer with JCB, with ambitions to pursue a master's degree and a Nuffield Farming Scholarship. In the long term, he aims to lead innovation in agricultural machinery, ensuring farming remains efficient, profitable, and environmentally responsible. 

For George, winning this award would be a platform to champion precision farming and inspire the next generation of agricultural innovators. 

Taking place on 16 October at The VOX in Birmingham, the event will welcome industry professionals from across the country to celebrate British agriculture and the successes it has had this year.  

Get your tickets here to celebrate with the finalists at The British Farming Awards: