Agricultural engineering student’s achievements celebrated in Cumbria Farmer Awards

Henry Bowman and Jack Sibbald were finalists in the category of Agriculture Student of the Year/ Rural Skills Award category, with the people and businesses nominated celebrated in the ceremony earlier this month.

Both Henry and Jack have been completing a Level 3 study programme in Agricultural Engineering at Myerscough.

Henry’s role at the family farm in Carlisle covers a broad spectrum of duties including looking after the lambs sheep, calves cows, calf rearing, animal husbandry, maintenance, and tractor work.

As part of his course requirement Henry has completed an extended work experience placement of 400 hours at Mathers Dairy Utensils in Carlisle. The placement has given Henry opportunities to work across Cumbria, Scotland and Northumberland, using the skillset he has acquired on the family farm and during his course.

In fact, the placement was so successful that he has been offered a permanent full time position within the company,

Henry is also skilled rugby player, and has been a member of Penrith Rugby Club for a number of years, and in the last year has represented Cumbria against Yorkshire.

He also uses his physical attributes as a wrestler – and last year represented England internationally for Cumbrian Wrestling in France.

Meanwhile Jack has been studying while working in the family business, Alex Sibbald Ltd in Seascale, undertaking a wide range of agricultural and forestry contract work.

As a course requirement for his qualification with Myerscough, Jack has recently undertaken an extended work experience placement of 400 hours at Mill Garage and Garden Machinery, repairing and maintaining equipment for local farms.

His diverse experiences in the industry have cemented his love of the agriculture and influenced his career pathway into agricultural engineering.

He’s been a member of Drigg Young Farmers for eight years and has been involved in all aspects, from stock judging to the arts.

Prior to becoming a residential student at Myerscough College, Jack was heavily involved in rugby league, and played for Millom. He was selected for a range of Cumbrian development squads including Barrow Boys, South Cumbria and Furness Raiders.

We wish Henry and Jack the very best of luck in the rest of their careers.

Now in its sixth year the Cumbria Farmer Awards shines a light on the best in Cumbria Farming.

The awards are organised by Newsquest Cumbria and partnered by Cumbrian Accountants, David Allen.

This year the nominations were judged by a panel of respected industry experts and specialists from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

Myerscough College students won the category in 2024 and 2025.