KWS Scholarship: James Armstrong

James Armstrong, second year BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management student and recipient of the KWS Scholarship.

“I chose to apply for the KWS Scholarship due to having a real passion for plant breeding. Since starting at Harper in 2017, the Crop Management modules have taught me a great deal about the dwindling arsenal of agrochemicals and the ever-increasing reliance on plant genetics to sustain current crop production, which is why I believe that plant breeding will likely be the future of UK agriculture”, says James, 19.

“I am very excited to join the team in summer to start my placement and gain in-depth knowledge and experience. Being awarded a scholarship and placement with KWS will greatly benefit my future as I feel that it will give me a strong foundation to begin a career in the agricultural industry.”

It is an industry that comes as something of a natural fit for James, from Bardney, Lincolnshire. “Agriculture has always been one of my passions due to living on a 1,000-acre family farm on the edge of the Lincolnshire Fens, where I have spent many school holidays working and learning some of the key skills utilised for good crop husbandry.

“I chose to study BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management for several reasons. The Crop Management modules taught at Harper Adams provide a strong foundation for FACTS and BASIS training following graduation in my fourth year, and the vast and in-depth amount of knowledge gained from studying this course will offer greater opportunities.”

Away from his studies, James has achieved plenty of acclaim for his cycling exploits.

“In previous years my cycling has taken me across the country competing in various national events in which a top ten finish was not uncommon. When I was 7 years old I became Under 8’s National Cyclocross Champion. I’ve also been lucky enough to represent the East Midlands on a number of occasions most notably at the UK School Games hosted in Manchester.”