A scholarship worth £3,000 is now available for young farmers from Wales who are eager to gain insights into agriculture in different countries. The scholarship, supported by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, invites applications from individuals interested in traveling within the UK, Europe, or beyond.
The Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Scholarship, established in 1984, is open to farmers under the age of 30. This year, the committee has allocated £3,000 to support applicants planning to explore agricultural practices within the UK, Europe, or other international destinations.
Previous recipients of the award have embarked on educational journeys to countries such as New Zealand, Australia, the United States, the Orkney Islands, Georgia, and the Isle of Man.
Lowri Price, a policy adviser at NFU Cymru, stated, “The scholarship fund was created in memory of Gareth Raw Rees MBE from Ceredigion. He strongly believed in the benefits of travel for a more comprehensive and rewarding education.” Price also emphasized the significant impact that international experiences have had on previous scholars’ farming practices in Wales, encouraging aspiring travelers to submit their applications for this year’s scholarship.
The scholarship is jointly managed by the Raw Rees family, NFU Cymru, NFU Mutual, Wales YFC, the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University, and the Future Farmers of Wales.
Trevor Lloyd, chairman of NFU Mutual’s advisory board for Wales, emphasized the importance of offering young farmers opportunities to explore farming methods worldwide. Lloyd said, “In today’s rapidly evolving agricultural industry, it is crucial for our young farmers to gain a broader perspective that can contribute to their success. That is why NFU Mutual strongly supports this scholarship scheme.” He further expressed enthusiasm for receiving exceptional applications from capable and enterprising young individuals interested in learning about diverse agricultural techniques employed across the globe.
The application deadline for the scholarship is June 14, 2024. The winners will be announced at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.
