NFAN Membership Hub

2024 Awards entries open

2024 NFAN AWARDS

NFAN’s annual awards recognise the best in the industry and celebrate the brilliant work of our members.

The nine categories cover events, retail, sustainability, food and drink and the overall large and small farm attraction of the year.  

Unique to NFAN members, the awards are free to enter. Winning is a great way to boost your business profile with national and regional PR as well as shouting about your brilliant team and attraction.  

This year we have made it easier to enter with a new short, simple application form.


Categories

  • Jim Keetch Large Farm Attraction of the Year Award
  • Jim Keetch Small Farm Attraction of the Year Award
  • Best Trade Supplier Award
  • Best Food and Beverage Award
  • Best Digital Presence Award
  • Best Event Award
  • Shining Star Award (formerly Day Maker Award)
  • Best Retail Award
  • Sustainability Award

Entry

How to enter

There is no limit on the number of award categories you can enter. Once you have decided which suit you best, click on the links to go to the entry form either here or on the NFAN Membership Hub.

Submission deadlines

Midnight, Friday August 18th 2023

Jim Keetch Large Farm Attraction of the Year Award

Jim Keetch Small Farm Attraction of the Year Award

Best Retail Award

Best Food and Beverage Award

Midnight, Friday September 29th 2023

Best Trade Supplier Award

Sustainability Award

Shining Star Award

Best Event Award

Best Digital Presence Award

Judging

Categories will be judged by a panel which will include, where possible, an industry expert and former winners.

The winners of each category will be invited to join the 2025 judging panel and will not be eligible to enter the category that year.  

Why enter the 2024 NFAN Awards?

  • Only open to NFAN Members
  • Free to enter.
  • Winning provides a great opportunity to promote your business.
  • Category winners and runners-up receive publicity from national and regional press releases.
  • Winners receive a logo to use on digital platforms.

Awards

Jim Keetch Large Farm Attraction of the Year Award

Summary

The Jim Keetch Large Farm Attraction of the Year, named in memory of NFAN’s pioneering founder, is open to all member farm attractions with annual visitor numbers of 75,000 and over.

This prestigious Farm Park ‘Oscar’ recognises excellence and reflects one of NFAN’s key aims to maintain high standards across the industry.

Key Points and Considerations

Judges will be looking for the farm park which can demonstrate excellence across the business.  

Along with the application form entrants will need to send up to ten photographs relevant to the entry and a short 30 second video of your attraction.

Please also read the entry notes for the Jim Keetch Farm Attractions of the Year (below) before completing your entry.

Initial judging will review submissions to draw up a shortlist of finalists. Judging to find the winner and runner-up will be carried out by an anonymous judge’s site visit and a mystery shop.

Enter here: Jim Keetch Large Farm Attraction of the Year


Jim Keetch Small Farm Attraction of the Year Award

Summary

The Jim Keetch Small Farm Attraction of the Year, named in memory of NFAN’s pioneering founder, is open to all member farm attractions with annual visitor numbers of up to 75,000.  

Key Points and Considerations

This prestigious Farm Park ‘Oscar’ recognises excellence and reflects one of NFAN’s key aims to maintain high standards across the industry.

Judges will be looking for the farm park which can demonstrate excellence across the business.  

Along with the application form entrants will need to send up to ten photographs relevant to the entry and a short 30 second video of your attraction.

Please also read the entry notes for the Jim Keetch Farm Attractions of the Year (below) before completing your entry.

Initial judging will review submissions to draw up a shortlist of finalists. Judging to find the winner and runner-up will be carried out by an anonymous judge’s site visit and a mystery shop.

Enter here: Jim Keetch Small Farm Attraction of the Year


Entry notes for the Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Awards

Raising and maintaining industry standards is one of NFAN’s key aims.

All entries for the large and small Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year must abide by the 15 Industry Code of Practice guidelines listed below. Any breaches of the guidelines will mean attractions cannot be shortlisted and will be removed from the judging process.

  • You have read the Code of Practice and a copy is available at your site
  • You & your staff have watched & understood the importance the CoP video to keep visitors and staff safe on your site
  • You have an effective written risk assessment procedure
  • Information is available to visitors to cover the possible risk to health / adequate information is given to visitors on the possible risks to health
  • There is hand washing information available & signage to advise visitors to wash their hands before eating and drinking after contact with animals.
  • Your attraction provides and maintains adequate hand washing facilities
  • Hand washing stations servicing animal contact areas and eating areas have hot and cold or warm running water, liquid soap is provided. Note: If the site is open on an occasional basis then cold running water, soap and paper towels would be acceptable
  • Instructions on hand washing techniques are displayed.
  • Cleansing wipes or anti-bacterial gels, where used, are in addition to proper hand washing – not as a substitute, (these can be situated elsewhere on site but not near animals as visitors might decide to use sanitiser instead of soap and water).
  • All visitor routes are kept clean of animal faeces to reduce the risk of cross contamination including FYM and liquid waste. Animal pens are boarded/barriered to prevent faecal run and are cleaned regularly with DEFRA approved disinfectant.
  • The public are prevented from entering animal pens. Where animals are moved internally on the site or animals are brought out to visitors (lamb feeding etc), all muck is picked up immediately to prevent contamination on shoes and pushchairs and hard surfaces are cleaned down every time.
  • Visitors are prohibited from eating and drinking in animal contact areas.
  • Children’s play areas and picnic areas are separated from animal contact areas, contact with animals is prevented e.g. by double fencing.
  • Staff appreciate risks associated with non-hand washing, staff are able to provide visitors with relevant information/guidance on potential risks.
  • All areas which the public have access to must be clearly defined – “no entrance” signs clear.

Best Retail Award

Summary

A key growth area for farm attractions retail outlets can range from a gift shops, merchandising kiosks and farm shops.

This award recognises a great retail offer.

Key Points and Considerations

Judges will be looking for innovation and a good customer journey incorporating ease of shopping, ease of paying.

Initial judging will review submissions to draw up a shortlist of finalists. Judging to find the winner and runner-up will be carried out by an anonymous judge’s site visit.

Enter here: Best Retail Award


Best Food and Beverage Award

Summary

This Award recognises a food and beverage offer with the wow factor.

Key Points and Considerations

Whether it is a kiosk, café or restaurant judges will be looking for a clean, welcoming space, well thought out menu and excellent customer service.

Alongside the application form entries will need to include up to ten photographs relevant to your entry, a short video of up to 30 seconds and supporting documents including menus.

Judges will also look at your website and food hygiene ratings. Initial judging will review submissions to draw up a shortlist of finalists. Judging to find the winner and runner-up will be carried out by an anonymous judge’s site visit.

Enter here: Best Food and Beverage Award


Best Digital Presence

Summary

A strong digital presence can be one of the most effective marketing tools for your business. This award recognises the attraction whose website and digital platforms stand out from the crowd.

Key Points and Considerations

Judges will be looking for an easy to navigate, eye catching website with good content and individuality, along with interesting, innovative and engaging social media content.

Initial judging will review submissions to find the finalists. A second review by the judging panel will decide the winner and runner-up.

Enter here: Best Digital Presence


Best Event Award

Summary
This award recognises an on-site event, whether long standing or brand new, which has been truly memorable.

Key Points and Considerations
Judges will be looking for an innovative idea which hits its target audience and creates an immersive experience for visitors.Alongside the application form, entries can include up to ten photographs relevant to your entry and supporting documentation.

Initial judging will review submissions to find the finalists. A second review by the judging panel will decide the winner and runner-up.

Enter here: Best Event Award


Shining Star Award (formerly Day Maker)

Summary
This special award recognises a team member who consistently goes above and beyond in their role.

Key Points and Considerations
Judges will be looking for someone who consistently gives a high level of customer service and has gone out of their way to make the visitor experience extra special.

Entries can include supporting documents such as photographs, video and testimonials.

Enter here: Shining Star Award


Best Trade Supplier Award

Summary
NFAN Trade Supplier Members are an important part of our network. This award is open to any NFAN Trade Supplier and recognises great service.

Key Points and Considerations

Judges will be looking for the Trade Supplier member who stands out from the crowd. This can be through the service/product they provide, excellent customer service or their eco/sustainability credentials. Along with the application form, entries can include up to 3 customer testimonials.

Initial judging will review submissions to find the finalists. A second review by the judging panel will decide the winner and runner-up.

Enter here: Best Trade Supplier


Sustainability Award

Summary
Open to both Farm Attraction and Trade Supplier Members, this award recognises businesses who are committed to building sustainability into their long-term plans.

Key Points and Considerations
Judges will be looking for a clear strategy to make your business more sustainable and the changes however big or small you have already put in place.

Outline your motivation for making these changes and the impact you expect them to have – or are already having – on your business.

Initial judging will review submissions to find the finalists. A second review by the judging panel will decide the winner and runner-up.

Enter here: Sustainability Award



Welcome to NFAN

With over 200 farm members, The National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) unites the farm and rural attraction industry.

Encouraging best practice and knowledge sharing, we proactively update members on the latest HSE advice, represent the farm attraction industry at government meetings, run events and provide ongoing support and guidance.

Find out more about the role of NFAN.

Events

Useful Information


© 2024 National Farm Attractions Network  |  Email:  |  All rights reserved.

NFAN Login

Lost your password? (close)