Winners of the 2021 Young Farmer Bursaries announced

Having impressed the judges with their passion for agriculture through written and photo essays, Alexander Barback, Jorja Snook-Bevis, Sonny Wightman and Enya McMullan will each receive £500 to support their course-related costs.

Bridgwater and Taunton College student Alexander Barback is studying for his Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at the college’s Cannington Campus. Alex is keen to pursue a career in farm management and his bursary will be used to fund equipment such as a laptop, overalls, wellies and waterproofs.

Jorja Snook-Bevis is studying a Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at Cornwall’s Duchy College. Alongside her family, she breeds pedigree British Angora goats and wants to develop her own beef enterprise. Jorja will use her bursary to buy textbooks and protective equipment to use on the college farm.

Sonny Wightman became interested in farming after work experience on a local farm and is now studying a Level 3 Agriculture course at Bicton College in Devon. Having recently secured a work-placement at Rothamsted Research’s North Wyke site, Sonny’s bursary will help cover travel expenses.

Dorset student Enya McMullan is studying for a Level 2 Stockperson Apprenticeship at Kingston Maurward College near Dorchester. Work experience on a local dairy farm inspired Enya to pursue a career in agriculture, and her bursary will fund visits to other farms to broaden her experience of the industry.

Applications for the 2021 bursaries were judged by a panel which included Cornish Mutual Managing Director Peter Beaumont.

“We were hugely impressed with the quality of applications for our first Young Farmer Bursaries,” said Peter. “All applicants displayed a clear passion for agriculture, with the winners showing their drive to build a career in the industry and play a role in its future.”

We will be running another round of Young Farmer Bursaries in 2022.