Shropshire student Sophie chosen as Newport and District Agricultural Society Scholarship recipient

Posted 1 February 2023

A Harper Adams University student from Shropshire has been selected as the 2023 recipient of an annual scholarship by The Newport and District Agricultural Society.

Sophie Vernon, a second-year student is studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management at the University, in Edgmond near Newport.

She received the scholarship award, which is worth £1,500 to its recipient, from the Society after presenting a written statement setting out the reasons why she should be selected for the accolade.

Sophie also recently gave a talk to members of the agricultural society at its well-attended annual general meeting.

She explained that while studying, she also worked on the family farm in Calverhall, near Whitchurch – and set out her hopes for an international role for her forthcoming placement year in industry, which all Harper Adams undergraduates undertake.

Sophie said: “I plan to go to New Zealand for my university work placement year after helping with the preparations for this year’s Newport Show.

"My aim is to broaden my dairy farming knowledge with spring calving systems and effective grass management.

"I am interested to learn about the different strategies and approaches which farmers take towards milk production”.

Newport Show manager Sally Western said: “The agricultural society makes this annual scholarship award as part of its charitable remit to encourage students to develop their agricultural knowledge and careers.

"The quality of applications this year has been very high but the judges felt that Sophie’s self-motivation, commitment and enthusiasm made her the stand-out candidate."