There are not many consumers who want to buy sheep's milk. But there are enough out there for Sam Williams, who runs Eskley Sheep Milk Supplies of Hereford, to have developed an exciting niche farming business. Sam runs a "bottles by post" scheme, which allows consumers to order either over the phone or via the web and have their milk delivered within 24 hours ­ no matter where they live in the UK. "The milk is marketed to people who have allergies to cows' milk and to those who require a high vitamin and mineral diet," says Williams. Before the launch of bottles by post, Williams claims most of the UK could not buy sheep's milk. He has also started offering cheese and milk powder and is now branching out into yogurts and ice cream in the hope of turning his business into a one-stop shop. It's a neat business and makes him a worthy winner of the Young Farmer of the Year Award, sponsored by Tesco. The winner of the Great British Food award, sponsored by Sainsbury, was Jan McCourt who runs Northfield Farm near Oakham in Rutland. McCourt moved into farming after losing his job in the City in 1997 and started with a herd of Dexters, a rare breed famed for the quality of its milk and beef. Since then, the reputation of his farm, its butcher's shop and its award winning sausages has grown massively. As a result, the business is enjoying growth in demand of up to 50% per annum. McCourt has become something of an evangelist, running tastings and demonstrations around the country. And, he says, with very good reason. "We have a passionate belief that there is a need to save the consumer from the mediocrity that stems from cheap, intensive and uncaring food production." The runner-up in this category was Ian Whitehead, who runs Lane Farm Country Foods in Suffolk, making pork sausages and bacon. Miranda Shufflebotham was named Farming Woman of the Year, while the Biodiversity Award was won by Robert Kynaston who runs a farm in Great Wollaston in Shropshire. The President's special award went to Francis Crocker of Trevigue. {{FEATURES }}

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