Student wins agronomy prize

Posted 16 January 2012

Harper Adams agriculture student, Ben Burrows, has been awarded a prestigious agronomy prize, which sees him receive £3,000 to help with his final year of studies.

The 21-year-old from Cropston, Leicester, was presented with the NIAB TAG ASSET prize in recognition of outstanding academic achievement.

Ben, who is studying for a BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management degree, received the award at the 2012 Association of Independent Crop Consultants
(AICC) conference, last week.

He, said: “'I was absolutely delighted when I found out I had been chosen as the winner from Harper Adams, and it was fantastic to be invited to the AICC conference to receive my award.

“Even since before coming to Harper Adams I had wanted to become an agronomist, and I really hope that the ASSET award can help me to achieve that when I leave university.”

ASSET (Agricultural Science Student Education Training) is an innovative training and award scheme aimed at encouraging students into the plant science sector.

Aside from Ben, who is currently on placement with Syngenta Crop Protection UK, three students from other partner universities also received ASSET prizes.

NIAB TAG’s project leader, Juno McKee said: “The winners, one from each university, were chosen on the quality of specific second year project work, a recommendation from their tutors and an interview with our staff. We were particularly impressed by the initiative, knowledge and ambition of all our four worthy winners.”

The scheme, generously supported by the NIAB Trust and The Morley Agricultural Foundation charities, aims to inspire students to better understand how they might aim to make a difference to the UK agricultural industry in their future careers.

It is available to second year students at a partner university enrolled in a specific crop-based module. Students register their interest in participating in the programme with their course tutor, who puts forward candidates to NIAB TAG staff.

For more information, visit http://www.niab.com/news_and_events/article/217