TWO students have received a share of £1,250 to support their agriculture studies.

Zoe Stanbury and Olivia Park have received Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries. 

Zoe, who is a University Centre Somerset BSc Agricultural Management student, was awarded a £750 higher education bursary. 

“I would like to put it towards some short courses which could make me more employable, such as an ATV certificate and renewing my emergency first aid at work certificate," she said. 

Olivia, who is studying a Level 3 Agriculture course at Bridgwater & Taunton College’s Cannington Campus, secured a £500 further education bursary.

Despite not being from a farming background, Olivia said she is 'determined' to build a career in agriculture. 

In her application, she wrote: “Not only has this industry taught me skills and abilities, it has also made me feel passionate and committed to making a change to encourage the younger generation to follow.”

Entries for the bursaries were judged by a panel, which included Cornish Mutual managing director Peter Beaumont. 

“We were delighted to receive a number of high quality applications for our bursaries,” he said.

“Both Zoe and Olivia displayed their passion for the industry and showed determination to play a positive role in the future of agriculture.”

The Cornish Mutual bursaries were expanded in 2023 to include both further and higher education students, as well as an overall Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year award.

Further education students were asked to submit a video or written essay explaining why they are studying agriculture, and higher education students were asked to explain what excites them about the future of agriculture.