Listen again: BBC Farming Matters interviews this year's Truesdale prize winner Stephen Evans

Final year  BSc (Hons) Agriculture student Stephen Evans has spoken to BBC Radio Ulster’s Farming Matters show about his studies, his placement – and his love of agriculture.

Stephen was interviewed by the show’s Nicola Weir after being named this year’s winner of the Victor Truesdale prize.

He told her that – as he had not started from an agricultural background – his love of farming had come as a surprise to his parents.

He said: “I think at the start they thought it was a bit of a phase – they thought ‘he’s going to grow out of it, it’s not an easy life’ as we all know.

“As time went on, and it came to picking GCSE’s and stuff, Mum and Dad were like ‘you’ve spoken about farming all your life, if you want to do that career now’s the time, you know – go for it’ – and that pushed me into the route of agriculture. and following that route.”

During the interview, Stephen talked about his studies at Harper Adams, his Pig Industry Scholarship and placement year, and the role he has since secured with ForFarmers UK.

He also noted how he wants his success to become an inspiration for others who – like him – may not have started off in farming families to look at pursuing a career in agriculture, adding: “I like to show everyone - you know, you don’t have to be from a farming background, like myself, to get involved.

“As we know, I don’t come from a farming background, and I’d like to say I’m doing alright!”

You can listen back to Stephen’s interview on Farming Matters via this link.