Harper Adams University: Harper Adams talent secures three of final four Ag Student of the Year shortlist places in British Farming Awards

Harper Adams students have secured three of the four Agricultural Student of the Year finalist places in the 2022 British Farming Awards.

The awards shortlist – unveiled recently – puts Harper Adams students Lucy Hinch, Jack Sadler and Sam Allison each in the running for the prestigious award, set to be announced in Birmingham this Autumn.

Dr Russell Readman, Course Manager for Agriculture at Harper Adams, paid tribute to both of the undergraduate agriculture students for securing their place, while Emma Pierce-Jenkins, Postgraduate Subject Co-ordinator for Rural Land and Property, paid tribute to postgraduate student Jack.

He said: “It is excellent to see Harper Adams Agriculture students shortlisted again for the British Farming Awards.

“The students shortlisted are a credit to themselves and to Harper Adams and demonstrate the quality of Harper Adams Agriculture graduates coming into the sector.”

And Emma added: “Our MProf is popular with part-time students, particularly as it is RICS accredited – but it is not easy studying at postgraduate level alongside a full-time job and setting up a new farm business, so this shortlisting is well deserved!

“Jack’s determination has shone through and I wish him all the best in the future.”

Each of the three students has spoken about how it feels to be shortlisted.

Jack, an MProf Rural Estate and Land Managament student, from near Macclesfield in Cheshire, said: “It feels brilliant, I wasn’t expecting to get the phone call so very proud to be shortlisted.

“I have just finished my second year on a 2 year part-time postgraduate. Studying alongside working full-time and setting up a farm business at home from scratch has been a steep learning curve!

“I wanted a change of career from my previous job – after speaking to land agents about their roles and day-to-day duties, I couldn’t afford to go back to full-time education and so looked into going part-time.

“I didn’t really know too much about any universities or colleges offering land-based courses as it wasn’t something that was given particular emphasis at school – so I did my own research and Harper seemed like a great place to study with good resources.

“The course looked interesting and it gave me the opportunity to choose some modules whilst still hitting the key compulsory modules.”

BSc (Hons) Agriculture student Lucy, from Rutland, added: “Being shortlisted feels unbelievable – maybe my friends are right calling me the crazy chicken lady!

“Being from a mixed farm back home, predominantly free-range laying hens, I wanted to continue my education onto degree level and the BSc (Hons) Agriculture degree seemed perfect as it offered a good mix of arable, livestock and business.

“I had seen Harper spoken about in a lot of agricultural press and many people back home really recommended it – and I have loved every minute of Harper; I already miss it and it has only been two months!

“Whilst at Harper I have met some of the best people and made memories forever.”

Meanwhile, his shortlisting is the second in recent months for BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management Top up student Sam – who has also been nominated as one of three finalists in the Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year Award competition as well alongside fellow Harper Adams student Ben Chilman.

Sam, from Chichester, said: “I am delighted to have been shortlisted for both the Farmers Weekly Awards as well as the British Farming Awards. It is key to highlight the importance of sustainability within agriculture, to produce healthy crops whilst still continuing to take positive steps to lower our impact to the environment.”