Even more young people are being encouraged to pursue careers in farming and agriculture, thanks to the Melplash Agricultural Society.

Eighteen local students living within 12 miles of Melplash church have received the bursary for 2021.

Each student will have applied for the grant and then undertaken an interview before the bursary is awarded. If successful, the student will receive up to £2,000 to help them further their education in the field of agriculture, horticultural and related subject areas.

New students awarded in 2021:

• Ellie Hughes attending Hartpury to do an extended BTEC in agriculture
• William Baker attending Harper Adams University to study BSc in agriculture with crop specialism
• James Farquharson attending Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester to study a degree in agriculture
• George Larcombe attending Sparsholt College to study a degree in wildlife ecology and conservation
• Jacob Maltby attending Kingston Maurward College alongside his agricultural apprenticeship

The society continues to support:

• Lily Collier studying veterinary at University of Liverpool
• Hannah Bowden studying plant biology at Aberystwyth University
• Jade Mowlem studying veterinary medicine at University of Surrey
• Luke Johnson studying veterinary medicine and science at Nottingham Vet School
• Ben Churchill who is continuing an apprenticeship and studying at Bicton College
• Ceri Edwards attending Harper Adams University studying bio-veterinary science
• Cerne Iveson attending Royal Veterinary College studying veterinary medicine
• Daniel Coombes attending Wiltshire College (Lackham) doing level 3 diploma in agriculture
• Freddy Allan attending Bicton College studying level 3 extended diploma in land-based engineering
• Isobel Minshall attending Harper Adams University studying BSc in agriculture with animal science
• Darcy Shaw attending University of Surrey studying veterinary medicine
• Matthew House attending Kingston Maurward College doing level 3 advanced technical diploma in agriculture

A total of £30,000 has been awarded. Since the scheme started in 2006, the Society has awarded £172,000 to 73 students.

Society director Dan Newman said: "Despite not holding our annual agricultural show this year, we are delighted to still be able to make substantial awards due to the very generous and continued support of our sponsors, donors and members.

"It is essential that we do what we can to attract more youngsters into agriculture; this is one of the missions of the society and the objective behind the bursary scheme.

"As a local farmer it is refreshing and very rewarding to see the enthusiasm and commitment that is shown by these youngsters to pursuing careers in agriculture. It is pleasing to see that the attitudes towards working in farming is slowly changing as young people recognise that there is a wealth of opportunities open to them, not only to those who are practical and interested in technology and engineering, but also to students interested in animal and plant breeding, nutrition, soil management, climate change, food production and the supply chain, a message that the society's Discover Farming initiative is successfully sharing with local schools and education establishments.

"I look forward to following the progress of our bursary students over the coming years."

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