Students are first to benefit from horticultural bursary scheme

Posted 13 June 2013

Six students from Harper Adams University have been named as the first beneficiaries of a bursary scheme introduced by the Horticultural Development Company (HDC).

Students on BSc Agriculture, Agri Business, Crop Management and Agri Food Marketing courses at the university are set to benefit from the HDC Undergraduate Final Year Bursary Scheme launched at the end of last year in response to the identified need to build and sustain a skilled workforce for the horticulture sector.

The bursary offers £4,500 towards the costs of final year tuition and is available to students incorporating a 12-month placement within the industry in their studies.

All six recipients of the 2013 bursary are either currently on or have secured placement with employers.

Jon Knight, Head of Research and Development at HDC, said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to support the promising horticultural talent emerging from our universities and colleges.

“Building capacity for a highly skilled horticultural workforce is central to the HDC’s research strategy, and through initiatives like our bursary and studentship schemes we are able to encourage more undergraduates to experience the horticulture industry first-hand and to consider it as a viable and exciting option for their future career.”

Dr David Llewellyn, Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, said: “There is no doubt that these bursaries will provide much needed financial assistance for the successful students, as well as excellent opportunities to work with leading horticultural businesses.

“We are delighted to be part of this scheme and would like to thank HDC, and the companies involved to date, for their generous support for our students.”

The successful students are currently on or will be starting placements at Riviera Produce, Farndon Fields Farm, Emmett Wales/UK, Intercrop Limited, The Co-operative Farms and Roots at Rushwick.

They include:

• James Ashworth, 21, from Southwell, Nottinghamshire, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture
• Alex Morris, 20, from Hoggeston, Buckinghamshire, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture
• Gail Shrubsall, 21, from Faversham, Kent, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agri Business.
• Alex Richardson, 21, from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management
• Jonathan Thomson, 26, from Zimbabwe, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture
• Kate Stephens, 21, from Wolston, Coventry, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agri Food Marketing with Business Studies