RNAA scholarships aim to boost Norfolk farming careers

06/12/22

'Our aspiration is to ensure that through providing grant funding and support, Norfolk is producing the best farmers possible'

The RNAA has announced a raft of scholarships which will support Norfolk’s budding farmers in 2023. The Association’s charitable purpose is to promote and support food production, farming and the countryside in Norfolk and awarding funding to those undertaking educational courses and professional development is core to that purpose. The funding awarded will support a prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarship and enable three young people to attend the highly regarded Oxford Farming Conference.
Beneficiaries of the scholarship awards include:

Harry Barnett, Director at Holkham Emerald Ltd – awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship sponsored by the RNAA and MacDonalds UK and Ireland. Harry will study the market and agronomic pressures facing the UK potato industry, and his scholarship will include overseas travel.

Three budding young farmers have been selected to attend the Oxford Farming Conference as part of the Norfolk Scholar Programme. The scholarship includes attendance at the conference, accommodation, and associated costs:

Flora Gregorie, working for the contracting company H C Beales & Co based near Great Ellingham. Former Norwich High School for Girls pupil.
“I was delighted to receive the Scholarship from the RNAA and am looking forward to attending the Oxford Farming Conference to learn about the key issues in UK agriculture and the solutions to the problems we face as an industry”

Katie Crawford, Farming Consultant with Ceres Rural, Poringland and farmer near Bungay. Former Langley School pupil.
“I feel honoured to have been selected for the scholarship, and I am very much looking forward to attending the conference. I feel it will be an exciting opportunity to engage with leaders of the sector and network with the wider agricultural community”.

Michael Lewis, student at Harper Adams University, and lives at Brooke. Former Framingham Earl High School pupil.
“I am delighted to have won the Norfolk scholar competition to attend the Oxford Farming Conference. I would like to thank the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association for this opportunity, I look forward to attending the conference and working with the RNAA.”

Mark Nicholas, RNAA Managing Director said ‘we are delighted to be supporting these young people as they seek to develop their careers in agriculture in Norfolk. Our aspiration is to ensure that through providing grant funding and support, Norfolk is producing the best farmers possible’.

Applications for a further award opportunity, the Bishop of Norwich Sustainable Environment Employee of the Year Award, will open in January 2023.


The RNAA has recently announced the setting up of a new Opportunities Fund to raise money to fund grants and bursaries for those studying and working in the land sector. Further details on how you can support the fund are here.

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