I've finally managed to have a look at Judith Barger's Elizabeth Stirling and the Musical Life of Female Organists in Nineteenth-Century England (thanks Google books). It devotes a large section to the song (as Stirling's most well-known) which tells us some things about the origin of the song.

First, the composer of the text, A.T. is not further identified; Barger says only: The title 'All Among The Barley' is the opening of the refrain of the poem 'The Ripe And Bearded Barley', its author identified only as 'A.T.'.

The question of the prize-winning is, however, dealt with in detail. The prize was in fact for publication by Novello in a Part-Song Book, as noted by nutty above. Novello provided texts to be set in an open competition (1850) and monthly prizes were awarded (seven prizes were awarded in all). The three judges originally awarded the first, second and third prizes to the same composer, Walter Macfarren. Rather than compromise the scheme in its very infancy, they came to an understanding whereby Miss Elizabeth Stirling was allowed to take the second of the prizes and according to Macfarren's own autobiography and after I had been fortunate enough to win the third prize, I was requested by the publisher not to compete again!

So the origin is well documented, but the author of the text remains unknown. And the interesting origin didn't stop the song being widely taken up.

And now I've reminded myself of the song, I'll try and get round to posting Walter Pardon's tune.

Mick