Harper Adams University: Rising Star Eleanor Honored at Inaugural National Women in Agriculture Awards
The winner of the Rising Star category in the first ever National Women in Agriculture awards has said she hopes her success inspires other young people.
BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management student Eleanor Gilbert was named the winner of the award last week – and adds the trophy to a host of other prizes, including being named Countryfile Young Countryside Champion 2022 at the BBC Food and Farming Awards.
Despite winning and being shortlisted for a host of awards, Eleanor – who is set to graduate from her course later this year – remains grounded about her success.
She said: “I am always so humbled to be nominated, especially as there are so many hardworking farmers in the country. I hope that showing the recognition for hard work will inspire other young people to also see what can be accomplished.
“It is a real sense of pride and encouragement to receive acknowledgement from your peers and this brings a lot of opportunity – but also a lot of responsibility to be the best you can.
“I hope that these awards encourage more young people into the agricultural sector and show that you don’t need to be brought up on a farm to enjoy an agricultural career.”
Eleanor’s work to inspire others also includes a host of social media accounts – on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube – as well as regular appearances on television and radio, a column in her local magazine, and visits to schools to talk to pupils about agriculture.
She also uses her social media channels to help boost local charities – something which she hopes to continue following her latest win.
She added: “I hope that the publicity also helps me to continue to fundraise for #Ellieswelly for Thames Valley Air Ambulance where you can get a mention or advert on my social media in exchange for a donation for this important service.”
With her four years at Harper Adams set to conclude later this year, Eleanor is planning to continue working on a farm diversification project at her family farm – then aims to add to her global agricultural knowledge.
She said: “I am looking forward to developing my Berkshire Farm Girl’s Pumpkin Patch – that will be bigger and better than last year – and hope to bring some new ideas.
“I then hope to travel early next year – and to experience farm life around the world.”
Meanwhile, Harper Adams alumnus Ruth Farrell, who studied BSc (Hons) Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) from 2002 to 2006, was named Agricultural Advisor of the Year.
Ruth – who works at DJM Consulting – is an independent rural business consultant, chartered surveyor, and agricultural valuer, and was named the youngest rural abritrator in England and Wales in 2020.