Travel scholarships for young farmers, equines & horticulturalists up for grabs

£11,000 was awarded in 2016

Now in its ninth year, the fund, set up by the Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture & Horticultural Society Trustees in conjunction with Norbreck Genetics Ltd, encourages young farmers, equine students and horticulturalists to study or explore business ideas abroad.

At the launch event at Myerscough College next month (Thursday, February 9^th), people aged 18 or over can attend and find out more about the opportunities such a scholarship can offer.

Head of Agriculture & Countryside, Craig Thompson, says: ‘’The Society issue scholarships every year so that young people can travel abroad in order to enhance their career prospects or contribute to the development of the sector that they wish to work in. ‘’

‘’Applicants need to attend the launch evening where they will be given details of the application process, which usually involves a written rationale for their travel plan together with estimated costings. One of the criteria is that applicants must either reside or be studying within Lancashire. Scholarships will be given to those within the land-based sector and will be awarded following an interview process. ‘’

During the event, recipients of past awards from previous years will speak about their experiences. Last year awards went to - Rachel Lawson, 20, a Ba (Hons) Equine Management & Development student; Frankie Gard-Story, 18, a Level 3 BTEC Agriculture student; Samantha Isheshe Jimawo, 25, who’s studying a Foundation Degree in Agriculture; and Rebecca Hodgson, 21, a student on the BSc Agricultural Livestock Science programme.

These awards have enabled students to travel all over the world, while there was also an award made for a Myerscough agriculture student to be able to attend the annual Oxford Farming Conference.

To date in excess of £63,000 has been provided for rural youngsters to expand their horizons all over the world, looking at a varied range of issues from walling techniques to beef rearing, sheep marketing, and equine development and research.

Philip Halhead, from Norbreck Genetics said: “We’ve had some excellent and diverse applications in the past and following the candidates on their journey and beyond, we know the scholarship is making an impact.

‘’There’s a wealth of entrepreneurial spirit in Lancashire and we’re keen to hear from young people who want to gain a global insight into their dreams.”

The scholarship fund launched by the Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society Trustees in 2009. The judging panel includes Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society Trustees, Myerscough College’s Craig Thompson, and Philip Halhead from Norbreck Genetics.

Anyone interested in applying for the scholarship should attend the launch event on February 9th, in the Pendle & Pennine suites at Myerscough College, starting at 7pm.