Student's passion for dairy sees him named Nuffield Farming Scholar

Posted 11 March 2025

An agriculture student who wants to use new ideas to drive growth on his family farm has been named one of 2025’s Nuffield Farming Next-Gen Dairy Scholars.

Lewis Gibbin of Carmarthenshire, who is studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture at Harper Adams University, is one of three students from across the UK to be appointed Scholars by the Nuffield Scholarships Trust.

After a successful pilot scheme in 2024 – which saw BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Animal Science student Kirsten Henry named as an inaugural scholar - Nuffield Farming has continued the initiative for a second successive year.

The Next-Gen Dairy Scholarship aims to support the development of young talent in agriculture and is open to anyone in the UK aged 18-24 who can show a demonstratable interest in the dairy industry. The scholarships have been funded by The Trehane Trust and the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust.

Scholars will take part in a 30-day study programme later this year, which will take them to dairy farms and businesses right across the country.

They will have the opportunity to further develop their understanding of the dairy industry, while also building networks and future opportunities.

Their Scholarships will culminate at the 2025 Nuffield Farming Conference in Aberdeen in November, where they will share the learnings from their year and the businesses and organisations they have visited.

Lewis, who grew up on his family’s dairy farm near Whitland, is a committed Young Farmer and member of Holstein Young Breeders.

He is currently undertaking a one-year industry placement with Huddlestone Farmers Ltd where he is hoping to learn about sustainable, profitable farming practices and what drives success.

During this time, Lewis is hoping to discover new ideas – and use them to drive growth on the family farm, which currently produces milk from a 330-head autumn calving Llangan herd of Holstein Friesians, as well as running a flock of pedigree Charollais sheep.

He will be joined by Isabelle Deacon, from Lancashire, and Joe Lyall, from Cumbria, on the Scholarship,

Chair of the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Tom Rawson praised each of the Scholars for their passion.

He said: “We received a number of high-quality applications, and the three recipients all displayed a clear passion for the industry and a desire to be a positive part of its future.

“Our Next-Gen Scholars will gain valuable knowledge and experience during their study tour, and we believe it will provide a vital stepping stone for their future careers in the dairy sector.”