Study funding of £15,000 is being provided by the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust to enable someone from the farming industry to explore how UK farmers should be preparing to “deliver” successfully into the UK food culture that will exist in 2030.
The successful study candidate will be required to give the first of the Trust’s newly created biennial Nuffield Farming lectures, a development which is described as being “akin to a Richard Dimbleby Lecture for agriculture”.
The first lecture student, and the study research which will lie behind it, is being supported from funds received through the Frank Parkinson Agri-leadership programme. The closing date for applications is July 31, with the first lecture due to be given in 2018.
“This is an exciting and positive development in the history of the Nuffield Farming Trust and promises to give the industry valuable insights into global trends and opportunities for UK farmers,” said Nuffield Farming director, Mike Vacher (pictured above).
“The study topic has been chosen because of its relevance across all farming sectors in the UK and because of the crucial need to develop a cohesive food and farming strategy to deliver safe, nutritious and affordable food in the UK for this generation and generations to come.”
Outline study notes for would-be applicants, include the following target points:
- consider the resilience of the food chain in the UK,
- examine the changing relationship with food,
- look at consumers attitude to food, both ethical and costs, nutritional awareness and access.
“The successful applicant will be a well-respected individual, recognised as an authority in the chosen specialisation,” said the Trust. “They will be selected at least 18 months prior to the lecture, allowing time for additional study and the drafting of a major written report.
“This award is a development of the ‘Frank Arden Memorial Scholarship’ and the Trust is most grateful for the continued generous support provided by Meryl Ward and her family and our other sponsors.”
