It's easy to enter!

 

** DOWNLOAD YOUR ENTRY KIT HERE**

 

IT IS EASY TO ENTER…HERE’S HOW!


Before you begin, check your dates

For all but two of our categories, the Grower of the Year Awards will be awarded for work carried out between 1 May 2010 to 31 October 2011.

The two exceptions are New Variety of the Year (edibles) and New Plant of the Year (ornamentals) where the award will be made for a new variety introduced to the market between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2011. NB: We do NOT exclude plants that have been entered for other award schemes.

You will need to:

• Fill in the entry form  (download above)
• Write an entry summary outlining the nature of your achievement (See below for tips)
• Include up to six colour photographs or other illustrations highlighting your achievement
• Provide relevant supporting material e.g. testimonials (no more than three), financial data illustrating the soundness of the business
• Include your payment for the entry (NB entries form NFU and HTA members are free)
• Send in your entry by Thursday 13 October 2011

Who can enter?

Growers of ornamental and edible crops, breeders, marketing companies, growers’ representatives, and suppliers of products and services to the growing community are all welcome to enter.

 

Tips on writing your Entry Summary

1. All categories except New Variety and New Plant of the Year.

Your entry summary should outline your achievements over the 18 month period under consideration and why you should be considered for an award.  Please include:

1.     What your goals were

2.     What you did to achieve those goals

3.     Examples of achievements that meet the criteria for the award you are entering

4.     Where a business is being entered for an award, data illustrating the financial soundness of that business.

Please type your summary on a maximum of 3 sides of A4.

 

Some ‘Dos and Don’ts’

  • Limit the history: In your entry summary, don’t write a detailed history of your business. The judges will be looking for evidence of achievement in the past 18 months.
  • Size doesn’t matter: Do remember the judges are not concerned with how large or small a grower business is. What they are looking for is what that business has done with the resources it has available and the challenges it has faced in the last 18 months.
  • Colour is best: Do send colour photos illustrating your achievements. Colour will tell your story better!
  • Be selective: Do pick out your very best testimonials – these should be from customers and peers in the industry rather than suppliers to your business.
  • Challenges count too:  Don’t forget problems overcome often add up to the best achievements.