Myerscough agriculture students shortlisted in Cumbria Farmer Awards

Amy Wilson and Luke Edmondson a finalist in the Agricultural Student/Rural Skills Award category, with the winners announced in a ceremony in August.

Amy Wilson is a Level 3 agriculture student at Myerscough College, and is a born and bred Cumbrian, studying an Extended Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at our centre based at Ullswater College in Penrith, with her set to complete her study programme at the highest grades in the summer.

Working in agriculture is Amy’s dream career, and in her two years with us has proven herself to be an exceptional student, producing class work and assignments to a very high standard, with a very clear passion for her chosen industry.

Amy’s dedication to the sector, and striving to be the best version of herself is commendable. She currently works on three different farms across the county, milking cows. At home she has both sheep and beef, and is particularly very proud of her own flock of Texel ewes, and her animals always make great prices in the local Penrith District Auction Mart.

18-year-old Amy has already proved she is the future of what modern farming is all about, and has made plenty of waves in the industry, with her keen eye for what makes a first class animal. She recently won the Westmorland Young Stock Judges of the Year award, and is also actively involved in Skelton Young Farmers, through which she progressed to northern area finals for stock judging.

Amy has already won plenty of accolades. She was named Interbreed Sheep Champion at both last year’s Hesket Newmarket Show, where she is also a proud two time winner of the Cumbria Young Handler of the Year.

She was also named Interbreed Sheep Champion at the Highland Show, in addition to being crowned Reserve Champion Young Handler at the Borderway Agri Expo in Carlisle.

And if she wasn’t busy enough with her studies and work in the sector, she even finds time to enjoy participating in the England Tug of War team, and is currently enjoying training her owns sheep dog at home.

Amy has significantly broadened her agricultural knowledge over the last two years at our Penrith centre, building on her lifetime of farming experience. She now hopes to continue her journey at Harper Adams University in September, and is predicted to come out with excellent grades from college.

Amy has also gained a wealth of additional qualifications while at Myerscough that will fully prepare her for industry even further, including certifications in safe use of all terrain vehicles, and competence in tractor driving and related operations.

Luke Edmondson is a Level 3 agriculture student at Myerscough College, moving away from his home, at the family farm at Levens, at the age of 16 to pursue his dream career.

Farming is in Luke’s blood. From a young age he has been involved in a number of key responsibilities on the family farm, and has always been interested in the farming and agriculture industries.

17-year-old Luke is an exceptional student. In addition to having to adapt to living away from home for the first time, and the challenges that poses, he produces class work and assignments to the best of his abilities, along with carrying out some additional reading and research relevant to the course.

Luke is a fourth-generation young farmer, with his family operating four farms across Cumbia - two at Crook, one at Flookburgh and the home farm at Levens. In recent years the business has significantly diversified, and Luke is heavily involved with a number of aspects, including a haylage business, livestock rearing, wood chipping and biomass to name but a few.

Taking the haylage business as just one example, Luke has taken it upon himself to really lead and drive growth and productivity. From tedding, to wrapping, through to delivery and customer service, he does it all, and so many customers speak highly of him, a testament to his commitment to the sector.

Luke also assists with the rearing of dairy heifers, from ten days old to in-calf, as the livestock rearing side if the family business has grown significantly in recent times.

Luke is also planning to undertake a Category 1 HGV assessment in May – now he is old enough to drive - to further assist in the family business.

Away from farm life, Luke is also very proficient with riding horses, and in summer 2024 came 4th in the Working Hunter Pony Championship event at the Agria Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. Luke is quite unforthcoming about this extra amazing talent, and often doesn’t tell people about it – including friends and college staff!

In the future Luke would like to spend two seasons in Australia and New Zealand, developing his knowledge then he hopes he can add to the family businesses as he has lots of ideas.

Luke is self-motivated, confident, and as a young man, passionate about making a lasting impression and difference to his beloved sector.

This year the nominations were judged by a panel of respected industry experts and specialists from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. The awards are organised by Newsquest Cumbria.