A STUDENT at Duchy College’s Stoke Climsland campus has wowed judges to be presented with a prestigious farming business apprenticeship award for his innovative and commercially focused approach to farming.

Harley Weston, 20, studying for an FdSc Agriculture degree at Duchy College, has been named the winner of the Crediton Milling Farm Business Apprentice 2026 Award,

Harley impressed the judges with his forward-thinking business plan for a 250-acre farm, combining regenerative agriculture, livestock and investment in grain storage and drying facilities, and was recognised as one of the South West’s brightest young farming talents during an official award ceremony in September.

Harley said: “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.

“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.

“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.”

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

The annual competition and award ceremony, held at the Waie Inn, brought together finalists, their families and friends, 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 demonstrated throughout the application and interview process.

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