The recipients of next year’s 19 Nuffield farming scholars have been named.
The cohort come from across UK agriculture, food and rural industries and will travel around the globe to study their chosen topic seeking guidance from industry leaders, experts and pioneers.
The scholarships will be formally awarded at the Nuffield Farming Conference, held November 27-29 at Chesford Grange in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, after which, the scholars will commence their 18 months of travel and study.
Mike Vacher, Nuffield director said: “UK agriculture is navigating through a period of uncertainty and change – environmentally, socially and politically.
“Our 2020 scholars were selected from a talented and passionate group of applicants for their ability to lead positive change in their sectors, as well as their potential to inspire others to do the same over the course of their travels and beyond.
The Scholarship offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with and learn from the best of the international food and farming community.
“The knowledge and experiences they will bring back to the UK will be incredibly valuable as our industry moves forward, and this wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.
“We have an exciting range of study topics this year and, on behalf of the Trust, I’d like to wish the 2020 scholars the very best as they prepare to start to their journeys.
“I know that they have the ability to not only guide British agriculture through these uncertain times, but to help make it stronger than ever before.”
2020 scholars
The 2020 Nuffield Farming scholars are:
- Aoife Behan (Edinburgh, Scotland) whose topic ‘Policies for a transition to agroecology by 2045 (Scotland)’ is generously supported by The MacRobert Trust;
- David Butler (Kent, South East) whose topic ‘Biodiversity for the Future of Fruit Farming’ is generously supported by Thatchers Cider;
- John Cappalonga (London, South East) whose topic ‘How a Circular Economy can benefit UK Farmers and Growers’ is generously supported by The Studley College Trust;
- Lizzie Carr-Archer (Oxfordshire, Central) whose topic ‘How seed breeding could reduce farm inputs in the future’ is generously supported jointly by The Worshipful Company of Farmers with Savills and the Central Region Farmers Trust;
- Nicola Harrison (Kent, South East) whose topic ‘Mapping out a green growth strategy for UK horticulture’ is generously supported jointly by The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and the Food Chain;
- Edward Jones (Anglesey, Wales) whose topic ‘Are we investing in the right agriculture technology and innovation?’ is generously supported by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society;
- Fred Langdale (Hampshire, South East) whose topic ‘Frost protection and post frost care in cool climate viticulture’ is generously supported by the John Oldacre Foundation;
- Jamie Lockhart (Norfolk, Anglia) whose topic ‘Unlocking the potential of Data Use and Agri-tech within Agriculture is generously supported by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association;
- Lucy MacLennan (Buckinghamshire, Central) whose topic ‘Do audits really improve microbiological food safety in fresh produce?’ is generously supported by the Central Region Farmers Trust;
- Teresa Meadows (Essex, Anglia) whose topic ‘Challenging the Conventional: Behaviour change methods for the adoption of IPM’ is generously supported by the John Oldacre Foundation;
- Emma Patterson Taylor (Edinburgh, Scotland) whose topic ‘The position of farming in the public consciousness’ is generously supported by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland;
- Angus Russell (Warwickshire, West Midlands) whose topic ‘The Family Farm’s Sustainability and Profitability Through Joint Venture Farming’ is generously supported by the John Oldacre Foundation;
- Hannah Senior (Yorkshire, Northern) whose topic ‘Accelerating AgriTech Entrepreneurs’ is generously supported by The Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship);
- Samuel Smith (Dorset, South West) whose topic ‘Regenerative agriculture: a shared ambition for the future of farming? is generously supported by McDonald’s UK & Ireland;
- Gary Spence (Kilkeel, Northern Ireland) whose topic ‘I can’t believe it’s not beef!’ is generously supported by the Thomas Henry Foundation;
- Samuel Steggles (Norfolk, Anglia) whose topic ‘The journey to maturity – Navigating sustainable food business growth’ is generously supported by NFU Mutual Charitable Trust;
- James Stobart (Cumbria, Northern) whose topic ‘Effective monitoring methods that measure ecological outcomes in grazing systems’ is jointly supported by The Company of Merchants of the Staple of England and AHDB;
- Alastair Trickett (Yorkshire, Northern) whose topic ‘Nuance and Diversity. Mixed Farming for the Future Farmer’ is generously supported jointly by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and National Trust;
- Arthur Soames (Buckinghamshire, Central) whose topic ‘Harnessing AI to drive efficiencies in the Fresh Produce industry’ is generously supported by The Richard Lawes Foundation.
Every year, about 20 Nuffield Farming scholarships are awarded in the UK to young people between the ages of 22 and 45 from across the agricultural industry.
There is no need for formal qualifications in order to apply for a Nuffield scholarship; instead, the trust looks to unlock an individual’s potential and broaden horizons through study and travel overseas.
Scholars are selected with a view to developing tomorrow’s leaders within their individual business and the industry as a whole.
