Harper graduate wins Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year 2023 

Posted 6 October 2023

Harper Adams University student Harry Davies has been named as this year’s Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year. 

Originally from Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, fourth-year BSc (Hons) Agriculture student Harry secured the prize at the annual Farmers Weekly Awards ceremony in London last night. 

On winning the award Harry said: “I was over the moon to be a finalist, let alone win Ag Student of the Year. Yeah it's a fantastic way to end four great years at Harper.” 

Having been hugely committed to his family farm, Hopes Ash Farm in Herefordshire, his hard work ethic didn’t go unnoticed by the judges, nor the skills he developed during his time at Harper Adams.

In the article by Farmers Weekly announcing his award, he said that without the skills learned at University, such as building design, partial budgeting, project organisation and people management, the projects he has been involved, including the installation of a slurry-only anaerobic digestion plant, would have been significantly more challenging. 

As well as the academic learnings at university, he says exposure to different people and systems has also broadened his awareness and led him to re-evaluate everything on the home farm. 

Fellow Harper Adams student Isla Soutter, a BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Animal Science student (pictured below), was also shortlisted for last night’s prize – once again seeing two of the final three taken by Harper Adams students.

Both were praised by Dr Russell Readman (pictured above), Course Manager for Agriculture at Harper Adams, who said: “Congratulations to both Isla and Harry for their success in this year’s awards - I am very proud of them, they are both excellent candidates for the award, demonstrating an unrivalled enthusiasm and passion for our industry and ready to address the challenges for the future. 

“It is excellent to see two of our students once more being shortlisted, and their success underlines the quality of our students – as well as continuing the University’s track record of success in these awards.” 

?? AG STUDENT ?? @Lightsourcebp | @PropelFinance #FWAWARDS | @HarperAdamsUni pic.twitter.com/eQId9iPjxr

— Farmers Weekly (@FarmersWeekly) October 5, 2023

Naming Harry as this year’s winner, Farmers Weekly awards independent judge, Ally Hunter-Blair said: “Harry is passionate and driven with a strong knowledge of local and global agricultural issues. He has stepped out of his comfort zone to broaden his skill set throughout university years and, as an engaging communicator, he is a fantastic role model for other ag students.” 

Read more about Harry’s win on the Farmers Weekly awards website.