Agricultural award for Paisley student Debbie
A former Paisley student has won a prestigious industry award.
Debbie Dawkins is a graduate of the HND in business course which is taught at West College Scotland’s Paisley campus.
After successfully completing her college course, she was accepted onto year three at Scotland’s Rural College to study a degree in rural business management.
She was awarded her college graduation class prize and has just scooped the prestigious 2021 Farm Planner Award.
Debbie, 34, said:“I was selected to be part of a cross campus team of five for the Farm Planner competition which is ran by the Institute of Agricultural Management.
“It’s open to all college and universities from across the UK and this year addressed how to improve business and take advantage of extra land.
“SRUC haven’t put a team forward for the competition since 1996 so it was a really big deal for the university and an honour for me to part of.
“The concept allowed us to show our passion for conservation and environment protection through unique and innovation entrepreneurial management and marketing strategies.”
Debbie, from Penilee, said making the transition from college to university was an easy one.
She said:“I really enjoyed my time at college and making the transition was much easier than I anticipated.
“Everyone tells you it’s a huge leap, but I didn’t find it too different.
“College really prepared me, and I can’t tell you how often I refer back to my college work.
“It was my college graded unit project on a fish farm and how it was using sustainable practices to fight against global warming that inspired me to want to learn more about food insecurity and what ultimately brought me to study Rural Management Business.
“My plan is to get my honours degree then hopefully one day own my own diversified farm with a restaurant and accommodation.”