A teenager from Suffolk who is ploughing his way towards a successful career in agriculture has won a national farming award.
Harry Lugsden, 19, from Eye, was crowned Further Education (FE) learner of the year in the annual Land Based & Environment Learner Awards that took place on 27 November 2025.
The glitzy do – was held at the National Conference Centre in Solihull in a partnership with Lantra and Landex – and it saw young talent go tractor to tractor in the hope of winning this prestigious accolade.
Now in its third year, the annual awards programme recognises outstanding learners from further education (FE), higher education (HE), and apprentices, from across England and Northern Ireland.
Harry – who is a former student of Suffolk New College’s Suffolk Rural campus – currently works as a self-employed sheep shearer, as well as earning his corn as an employee of Robert Spink and Dunhill Farms Ltd.
And he had praise for both his former place of study and his current place of work – in terms of their support in getting this award.
Harry said: “The college arranged for my work placement at the farm where I ended up getting a job. My whole time there was beneficial and it has helped me get to where I am. Everyone at Dunhill Farms Ltd have also been incredibly supportive.”
In terms of his of winning the national award, Harry added: “I’m chuffed to bits – it’s really cool (to win). Winning this will definitely help me in the future.”
Harry was up against five others and won a trophy that was presented to him by TV presenter Kate Humble.
Steve Lambert is a farm lecturer at Suffolk Rural. He said: “Huge congratulations to Harry. It’s a very proud day for Harry, the college and the whole agricultural team at Suffolk Rural.”
Lynsey Wilson is the director for land-based, equine and the Suffolk Centre for Culinary Arts at Suffolk New College. She said: “Huge congratulations to Harry. He was a brilliant student who worked hard and represented the college on many occasions, including being interviewed by the BBC twice at The Suffolk Show. To get this award is amazing news.”
This year’s awards were sponsored by Land-based Assessment Ltd., Interflora, and the Co-op.