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Abi Kay, who has been Farmers Guardian chief reporter since September 2016, was honoured for her exceptional work by the Farmers’ Union of Wales with the Bob Davies Memorial award.
The award is offered to a media personality who has raised the public profile of Welsh farming every year.
A former member of the NFU politics team in London, and a long-term Parliamentary aide in Westminster before that, she has spearheaded FG's coverage of politics and regulatory affairs in Wales and across the UK during her time with the publication. She also founded FG's hugely popular Brexit hub online.
Presenting her with the award, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Abi has been a tremendous force in bringing Welsh agriculture and the politics associated with it to the forefront of people’s minds - in print and online.
“Her way of holding politicians to account, asking the hard-hitting questions and sympathetically reporting the lives of those who keep the wheels of our Welsh rural economy running is a credit not just to the Farmers Guardian, but to journalism in general.
“Her reports make essential reading for anyone who has an interest in the rural economy, politics and wider farming matters and I sincerely hope that we can look forward to many more honestly told stories from Abi.”
FG editor Ben Briggs said: "For Abi to win the FUW Bob Davies Memorial Award 2019 is tribute to her hard work and tireless desire to unearth the real story, and also what decisions in the corridors of power mean for farmers in Wales and elsewhere.
"Abi has taken Farmers Guardian's coverage of political debates and legislative changes to new heights. With Wales being such a key region for FG, we are immensely proud that Abi's exemplary reporting of Welsh politics and public affairs has been recognised."
The list of those who have previously received the award - a shepherd’s crook specially carved by award winning Aberystwyth stick maker Hywel Evans - include Former Western Mail farming editor Sally Williams, former FUW director of public relations Peter Roberts, S4C Ffermio presenter and Carmarthenshire farmer’s daughter Meinir Howells, experienced Ceredigion TV and radio journalist John Meredith, Swansea-based Telesgop managing director Elin Rhys, BBC TV’s Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, Farmers Guardian journalist Barry Alston, BBC Radio Cymru’s Dei Tomos, Freelance agricultural journalist Meyrick Brown, founding editor of the Welsh Assembly Government’s bilingual Gwlad magazine Roy Hancock, former farming editor of the Western Mail Steve Dube, rural affairs editor at the Daily Post (Wales) Andrew Forgrave and Welsh agricultural broadcaster Hywel James as well as S4C’s Cefn Gwlad presenter Dai Jones, Llanilar and BBC Radio Wales Country Focus producer Pauline Smith.