Who Is Kate Dale And Why Did She Get A Farming Lifetime Achievement Award At The Great Yorkshire Show?

Ever think about what makes someone a real-life hero? It's not usually about capes or superpowers. Often, it's about people who quietly work away in the background, making a massive difference in their community.

Well, let me tell you about someone like that from the world of farming in Yorkshire. Her name is Kate Dale, and she just got a huge award for being, well, completely brilliant. On the 10th of July, at one of the biggest events in the farming calendar, she was recognised for a lifetime of helping others. It’s a story about community, health, and a whole lot of heart.

So, who is this Kate Dale?

Right, so Kate isn’t some bigwig from the city who decided farming looked nice. She’s the real deal. Kate Daleis a mixed farmer from a place called Helperby in North Yorkshire. Being a mixed farmer just means she does a bit of everything – maybe some crops, maybe some livestock. She lives and breathes the farming life, which is exactly why she’s so good at helping other people in the same boat. She understands the ups and downs because she’s been there herself.

For 14 years, Kate worked with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (or YAS for short), and she became a proper legend there. She was one of the key people behind some amazing projects, like the Yorkshire Rural Support Network and the Women In Farming Network. She wasn't just doing a job; she was making sure the people of the farming world were looked after. And for all that hard work, she's now got an award to show for it.

A massive award at a massive show

This wasn't just any old certificate. Kate was given a special award for her outstanding contribution to the Yorkshire rural community. It's a joint award from two really important organisations: the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI). RABI is a charity that has been helping farming people for over 160 years, so getting a nod from them is a big deal.

And where did she get it? Only at the Great Yorkshire Show! If you’re not from around here, think of it as the Glastonbury for farming. It’s a huge, bustling event where everyone in the agricultural community comes together. So, to be honoured there, in front of all your peers, is pretty special. This wasn't just an award; it was a lifetime achievement recognition, a way of saying "thank you" for everything she has done for farming in Yorkshire.

More than just a job, it was a calling

For 14 years at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Kate’s main role was managing the Yorkshire Rural Support Network. But what does that actually mean? It sounds a bit corporate, but what she did was incredibly human. The network offered all sorts of help to the farming community. Think about it like this:

• Practical help: Imagine your tractor breaks down during the busiest time of year. Who do you call? Kate would have known someone who could help.
• Financial help: Farming involves a mountain of paperwork and numbers. Kate and her team helped people navigate that stress.
• Emotional help: Farming can be lonely. Sometimes, all you need is a chat over a cup of tea with someone who gets it. Kate was always on the end of the phone, ready to listen.
• Medical help: She was instrumental in setting up farmer health checks, which we’ll get to in a bit.

The YAS said her caring approach was what made her stand out. She wasn't just a voice on the phone; she was a friend to the entire sector. She built up so much respect that she could get other big organisations to chip in and help, making a real, tangible difference to people's lives.

Making connections and championing farmers

Kate is clearly one of those people who sees a problem and just fixes it. She didn't stop with the support network. She also launched the Women in Farming Network. Farming has historically been seen as a man's world, but countless women are at the core of the industry. This network gave them a space to connect, share ideas, and support each other across Yorkshire. It's an incredible initiative that she built from the ground up.

And then there’s the health stuff. We all know that farmers are brilliant at looking after their animals and crops, but not always so great at looking after themselves. Kate set up free farmer health checks to change that. When the Covid pandemic hit and meeting up was impossible, she didn't just stop. She cleverly moved it all online, creating a virtual health check to make sure farmers could still get support during a really tough time. On top of that, she organised community lunches for farmers. It sounds simple, but getting people off their farms and into a room together to just chat and eat can be a lifeline. It’s all part of championing farmers.

The stress in farming can be immense. One bad harvest or a sudden illness in your livestock can make any day feel like the busiest day of your life. It's a level of pressure that's hard to understand unless you're in it, a bit like the pressure facing the team at the North East RSPCA Centre on its busiest day of the summer – except farmers often face it alone. It's no wonder she also won a title at the Northern Farmer Awards back in 2022. This new lifetime achievement award is another well-deserved nod to her work.

What the boss had to say

It's one thing for us to say she's great, but her former colleagues think so too. Allister Nixon, who is the chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, had some lovely things to say about her. As the head of the YAS, his words carry a lot of weight.

Allister Nixon said: “Always championing farmers, we are proud of Kate’s service at the society, and I know that her former colleagues will be delighted that she is receiving this recognition.”

That really says it all, doesn't it? When the chief executive says they are proud of you, you know you've done a good job.

A legacy of looking after people

So, this award is about more than a single achievement. It’s a lifetime achievement award celebrating years of dedication. Kate Dale has spent a huge chunk of her life looking after the very people who put food on our tables. Her work with the YAS, RABI, the Women in Farming Network, and all the health initiatives has left a lasting mark on the farming community in North Yorkshire and beyond.

It's a reminder that some of the most important work is done by ordinary people who care an extraordinary amount. These are the people who build stronger communities and make sure nobody gets left behind. A huge congratulations to Kate! A true hero of Yorkshire farming.