The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, whose well-known bursary scheme has helped inspire and develop hundreds of leaders in the agriculture sector, has launched a new award specifically for the horticulture industry. Sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, the award aims to give an enthusiastic and experienced individual the opportunity to research a key issue and make long-term change within our sector.
Nuffield Farming director Mike Vacher said: “This is an exciting and positive development for the Nuffield Farming Trust and promises to give the industry valuable insights into global trends and opportunities for UK farmers.”
Bruce Harnett, who studied intensive horticulture for his 2014 Nuffield Scholarship, is thrilled that this new award represents the horticultural industry. He said: “I would highly recommend individuals to apply. I visited over 90 organisations throughout the world, within Europe, Japan, Israel and the USA, and gained invaluable knowledge of many different products and production systems. I was able to assess the diverse array of production systems and ultimately reflect on the viability of my own business, which now produces 13 million protected ornamentals per year.”
The Trust is looking for applicants aged between 25 and 45 who are working in UK horticulture or a related industry. The successful applicant will be offered up to £12,000 to complete the study, and attend conferences and training – which includes no less than eight weeks of travel. They will then report back within 18 months with their findings. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2016.
Visit www.nuffieldscholar.org for further details.