Young Farmer Bursaries

Cornish Mutual is committed to supporting the future of agriculture in the South West. Our student bursaries aim to support the training and development of young people entering the industry and celebrate their enthusiasm for the future of agriculture.

Bursaries

There are two types of bursary available:

Further Education Bursary

This bursary is open to any student studying an agriculture-based Level 1, 2 or 3 course at a college in the South West. These are Bicton, Duchy and Kingston Maurward Colleges, and Bridgwater & Taunton College, Cannington Campus.

Four bursaries of £500 each are awarded – one bursary per college.

Higher Education Bursary

This bursary is open to any student studying an agriculture-based Level 5 or 6 course at University Centre Somerset and Duchy College.

Two bursaries of £750 each are awarded – one bursary per college.

Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year

In addition to the bursaries, an overall Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year will be selected from the 2024 bursary recipients.

Who is eligible?

Any student enrolled on a qualifying course during the 2024-2025 academic year.

A student is eligible to apply once in each category, i.e. a previous Further Education bursary applicant can apply for a Higher Education bursary if enrolled on a qualifying Higher Education course.

All applicants must state how they intend to spend the money (e.g. PPE, computer equipment, books, transport costs, additional certificates, i.e. telehandler course). Cornish Mutual will purchase the equipment or pay monies for these items to the college or student as appropriate.

Entry requirements

Applicants are to submit entries on the following subjects:

Further Education bursary: ‘Why I am studying agriculture’
Higher Education bursary: ‘How do you see the future of agriculture, and what role do you hope to play?’

Entries can be submitted as a:

500-word written essay; or
20-image photo essay with brief introduction and captions; or
2-minute video or audio podcast

Bursary applications are judged by an awards panel comprising Cornish Mutual Chairman and CEO plus a college representative. The bursaries will be presented at a ceremony held at each participating college.

Bursary timetable

Applications open: 13^th September 2024

Applications close: Midnight on 22^nd November 2024

Bursary recipients announced: December 2024 (subject to change)

What is expected of recipients?

Recipients agree to be used in media/promotional activities surrounding the bursaries.

Students receiving a bursary may also be invited to attend a relevant Cornish Mutual Next Generation meeting, giving them the opportunity to meet farmers from across the region and learn from experts in an area of agriculture being explored by the Next Generation group.

For more information on our Young Farmer Bursaries or to send through your application, please email futurefarming@cornishmutual.co.uk

Since starting my course at Duchy College I have been lucky enough to visit many different farming enterprises and learn more about the opportunities available. This bursary will help me buy a laptop, stationery and more comfortable safety boots!

Rosie Squire

Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture student and 2022 bursary winner, Duchy College

The biggest challenge for me was getting into farming in the first place, but through my college course, I have gained huge amounts of industry knowledge and had countless opportunities. I’m really grateful to have won this bursary, and will use it to buy PPE for wearing on the college farm to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Molly Leigh

Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture student and 2022 bursary winner, Bicton College

I’m working hard to gain as much knowledge as possible from my college lectures and through my own external research, so I can help our family farm remain profitable and sustainable into the future. I plan on using the bursary to buy a new laptop so I can complete my college assignments and continue with my own research.

Grace Harding

Extended Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture student and 2022 bursary winner, Bridgwater & Taunton College (Cannington Campus)

I feel proud to honour the work of previous farming generations and I’m excited to see how the work achieved today is passed on in the future. Having seen the importance of good breeding on our farm and learning more about it at college, I would like to use the bursary to complete my AI certificate.

Rebecca Hewlett

Agriculture student and 2022 bursary winner, Kingston Maurward College

Going to Duchy College means I can improve my knowledge in all aspects of farming. This funding will help me buy college books and PPE for college, to avoid cross contamination with protective equipment used at home.

Jorja Snook-Bevis

Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture student and 2021 bursary winner, Duchy College

I am extremely passionate about the farming industry and have a strong desire to make a positive impact on the future of British agriculture. This funding helps me move towards my goal of having my own farm one day.

Sonny Wightman

Level 3 Agriculture student and 2021 bursary winner, Bicton College

I’d really like to travel to different parts of the world to learn more about how they farm. However, I’d like to get my college diploma first, so this bursary will help to fund the equipment I need.

Alex Barback

Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture student and 2021 bursary winner, Bridgwater & Taunton College (Cannington Campus)

Farming is my passion and future career choice. I plan to use the bursary to cover travel expenses for visits to other local farms, including both sheep and pig businesses.

Enya McMullan

Level 2 Stockperson Apprentice and 2021 bursary winner, Kingston Maurward College

2023's Young Farmer Bursary winners

Six agricultural students in the South West have been awarded Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries, with one of them also winning the prestigious Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year award.

Find out more