The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust has announced the appointment of 19 new Scholars to commence their travels and research in 2018.
The successful Scholars were carefully selected from a large group of strong applicants on the basis that they have the ability to lead positive change in farming, food, horticulture and other rural sectors, as well as inspiring passion and potential in others along the way.
Mike Vacher, Nuffield director, explains that the calibre of applicants was extremely high, making the selection process very difficult. “I’m confident that we’ve selected candidates that are passionate about their subject, will rise to the challenge, and enhance the future of British farming,” he said
The Scholarships will be formally awarded at the Nuffield Farming Conference in Bristol this November, after which, the Scholars will start their studies that last for an 18-month period. “They’ll have the chance to travel for at least eight weeks to investigate their topic and explore global practices, thanks to funding from generous sponsors,” said Vacher.
The Scholarships allow individuals to take a step back from their day-to-day work and study a subject of interest, with access to the world’s leaders in food and farming. Ultimately, the Trust hopes that the research will benefit the UK agricultural industry.
“We have a diverse range of study topics this year and, on behalf of Nuffield, I’d like to wish the 2018 Scholars the best of luck,” said Vacher.
The 2018 Nuffield Farming Scholars are:
Adam Banks (Lincolnshire, East Midlands) Insects as Food: Opportunities and challenges to farming insects for human consumption in the UK
Mark Dewes (Warwickshire, West Midlands) Can UK agronomy learn from best practice abroad to better serve arable farmers with advice and crop protection inputs?
Neil Eastham (Yorkshire, Northern) How can UK dairy farmers use genomics to breed a better herd?
Charlotte Evans (Northamptonshire, East Midlands) Point of care diagnostics: What can we learn from the medical industry?
Jonathan Gill (Shropshire, West Midlands) How do we embrace automation in agriculture?
Martin Gott (Cumbria, Northern) The prevalence and importance of indigenous bacterial cultures in raw milk cheese
Richard Harrison (Kent, South East) Where next for soft fruit in the UK? Addressing the yield gap and providing a path to 500 t/ha
Caroline Kealey (Lincolnshire, East Midlands) Investigate developing and existing technologies for carcass grading and payment that can improve UK meat quality through producer/processor incentivisation.
Angela Kirkwood (Yorkshire, Northern) Growing the British pig industry.
Katy Mayne (Shropshire, West Midlands) Agriculture & the natural environment – developing cross sector relationships to benefit future policy.
James McIntosh (Scotland) Explore new ways in which eggs can be marketed to maintain a steady increase in egg consumption.
Emily Norton (Norfolk, Anglia) Breaking the silos – best practice in global agricultural policy for farm business innovation.
Barry O’Boyle (Northern Ireland) Can Farm subsidies be revolutionised after Brexit to drive Innovation?
Tom Ormesher (Sussex, South East) Water for business growth, regulation, markets and stewardship.
Alexandra Parker (Surrey, South East) Where corporate meets family in business.
Christopher Rose (Norfolk, Anglia) On-farm anaerobic digestion: maximising use and enhancing the value of CO2, heat and nutrients.
Jenna Ross (Scotland) Riding the slime wave: Gathering global data to enhance slug control in the UK.
Angus Selby (Surrey, South East) Can Institutional Investment Capital Provide Opportunities for Family Farmers and Young Farmers in the UK?
Joseph Towers (Lancashire, Northern) Procurement of Asparagopsis taxiformis for trial in UK dairy system for methane reduced dairy products.