Bursary success helps to cultivate promising career on the land
»
A TALENT for crops and a strong work ethic has helped Harry Goring win a prestigious bursary for students wishing to start a career in farming, from a non-farming family background.
The Royal Agricultural University student has won the independent John Innes Foundation bursary which supports undergraduates who are beginning farm management and crop production careers.
He is studying a foundation degree in agriculture and farm management in Cirencester.
He is the second university student in succession to win the annual bursary, following agriculture with applied farm management student Alex Neason.
The funding will pay Harry’s complete course fees and allow him to stay on to study a full degree. He will also benefit from expert mentoring from UK’S largest farm management company Velcourt.
The bursary is open to students from ten universities offering Agricultural degrees on a competitive basis.
Harry said: “I have had a passion for farming from a very young age. Although I don’t have a family farm at home I have grown up around farming and began working for my great uncle, corn carting at age 13.
“I didn’t perform amazingly at school, but I was inspired to go to agricultural college where I excelled.
“I moved on to the RAU and so far it’s been a great experience for me. Not only has it provided excellent tuition but also highlighted some of the possibilities available to young graduates.
“Having worked for seven farm businesses I have gained a lot of experience within the industry and I plan on continuing to work around the county to add to this further.
“The industry is going to rely on a range of young talent to drive it forward. I’ve always been enthusiastic about my future but gaining this award has opened some exciting opportunities that I’m looking forward to exploring.
“The John Innes Bursary proves you don’t necessarily need to be from a family farm or even have a farming background to be successful.”