Six students receive Clyde Higgs Scholarship honour

Posted 18 February 2016

Six students at Harper Adams University are benefiting from Clyde Higgs Undergraduate Scholarships this year, funded by the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust. 

Andrew Harrison, from Slaidburn, Lancashire, a final year BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Animal Science student, said: “I am delighted to have been awarded the Clyde Higgs Scholarship. This award will help me progress my career in agriculture and I am extremely thankful to the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust and the Harper Adams University Development Trust.

“Clyde Higgs and Elizabeth Creak’s legacy of innovation in agriculture and dairy science, striving for improved efficiency both in the UK and abroad and sharing agricultural best practices, is an example I hope to emulate throughout my agricultural career.

Last year Andrew completed his placement year split between working on a dairy farm near Burton-upon-Trent and as an exchange student at Cornell University, NY, USA. 

He added: “The opportunity to study abroad in an Ivy League university and expand my knowledge of dairy science, whilst experiencing a different culture was an amazing experience and one I would thoroughly recommend to any students who are presented with the opportunity.”

Joseph Morrell, from Harrogate in North Yorkshire is currently studying Agriculture with Farm Business Management, and has been awarded his Clyde Higgs Scholarship after demonstrating experience of and a passion for the dairy industry.

“The receipt of the award will allow me to volunteer in a third world country, using my gained knowledge at university to help with their agriculture for long enough to make a real difference in the area I go to,” he said. 

“My ultimate career ambition is to become a dairy consultant in this country, advising and helping to provide the best business decisions for dairy farmers, and enabling them to cope with milk price volatility. This is one of the main reasons why I chose to specialise my agriculture degree in the farm business management sector, so that my degree would help me work towards my career”.

Aimee Ash, from Peterborough, was fortunate to be given two scholarships – both Clyde Higgs and Jill Willows awards. She is currently in her second year of an Agriculture with Animal Science degree, and applied for the scholarships so she could further her knowledge and skillset by undertaking additional land-based courses. She also plans to travel to Europe to view high-performing diary farms. 

Aimee said: “It has given me a big confidence boost that both awards committees felt I was worth sponsoring”. In the future, Aimee hopes to manage a successful grass-based dairy business.

Laura Elliott, from Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, is a final year Agriculture with Animal Science student. She said: “I applied for the scholarship to help fund my Honours Research Project. As the scholarship had a preference for dairy candidates, I believed it suited my background from a dairy farm and my future aspiration to work within the dairy industry. 

“I am honoured to of been awarded the Clyde Higgs scholarship and to represent the Elizabeth Creak Trust. The scholarship gives me great confidence that I will be able to complete my HRP to the best of my ability. It has also provided me with the funds to go to the Positive Farmers Conference in Ireland in January.

“After I have completed my degree at Harper Adams, I will return to the farm consultancy group, Agri Angels in Carmarthen, where I spent my placement year. I will continue my training to become a farm consultant. Alongside this, I plan to help run the family dairy farm.”

Lee Higgins, from Ballerin, Co. Derry, said: “I applied for the scholarship because I thought that I fitted the criteria given in the application and that I am passionate about all aspects of agriculture. Also, increased pressure from my studies meant that I could not continue with part-time milking anymore. Being a final year this is probably the most important year of my life. 

“I am delighted to receive this prestigious award. It has taken the pressure off my shoulders and allowed me to focus on achieving a good degree.

“I want to make a difference in the beef industry back home in Ireland, working within the sector to ensure the sustainability of beef production. I have a family farm at home which I also look to utilise in the future, adding poultry and dairy enterprises aiming to grow in size for the next generation,” added the final year BSc Agriculture with Farm Business Management student. 

Elizabeth Harris, from Congresbury, North Somerset, is a final year BSc (Honours) Agriculture with Animal Science student. She said: “The dairy focus surrounding this award was of particular importance to me due to my future career aspirations within the dairy industry. 

“The award provides me with the opportunity to advance my technical skills within the sector and further aid my knowledge and understanding of the sector. I was completely surprised and over the moon to receive the scholarship, but extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

For her placement year, Elizabeth worked for Alvis Bros Ltd on a 650-cow dairy farm. Her ambition is to become a dairy consultant, with the aim of helping others within the industry.