Stockcroft Final Year Scholarship: Alexandra Strain

Alexandra Strain, 22, from Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland is a final year BSc (Hons) Animal Science student and recipient of the Stockcroft Final Year Scholarship.

“I have always had an interest in animals and farming growing up, but not coming from a farming background personally I had to work hard to gain experience of the industry by working on local farms.

“I chose to study Animal Science at Harper Adams because I wanted to learn more about the science behind farming and wanted to study a course that would give me the knowledge needed for a career in the meat industry.

“I developed an interest specifically in the pig industry and pork production and spent my placement year on a large outdoor pig farm in Devon.

“My placement provided me with a lot of opportunities to learn about pork production and the work and effort that goes into producing products for the UK consumer. My placement confirmed for me that I want to continue towards a career in the pork production industry.

“The Stockcroft Final Year Scholarship is new. I am extremely grateful to be awarded the scholarship because I enjoyed my placement and worked very hard and that hard work has thankfully paid off.

“This award will greatly benefit me in my final year at Harper Adams as it can be put towards my tuition fees and other courses that I may choose to do in my final year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Stockcroft and Ms Stockings for awarding me this scholarship.”