SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

Passion for agriculture leads to double award shortlistings for keen student

Posted 27 August

A passion for agriculture has seen a SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ scholar shortlisted for two different Agricultural Student of the Year awards.

Despite not having a background in the industry,  BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Mechanisation  student George Elliott, from Ashbourne in Derbyshire, always knew that he wanted to work in agriculture.

Indeed, he was so keen to get into the sector that he began his career immediately after completing his A-levels - before deciding that he needed to hone his skills with a Harper Adams degree.

He said: “I've never wanted to do anything else but work in the agricultural industry.

“Not coming from an agricultural background has pushed me to keep striving for new opportunities. Ultimately, I want to make my mark and keep driving the industry I love forward.

“After completing my A levels in 2018, I didn’t want to go to university—I just wanted to work in agriculture.

“I started out working for my local agricultural machinery and livestock auctioneers, then moved on to a large fresh produce grower as a tractor driver. There, I picked up the skills of the trade and developed a strong interest in precision farming.

“Fast forward to 2021, and I was keen to progress my career and firmly believed that earning an agricultural degree from Harper, specialising in agricultural mechanisation, was exactly what I needed.”

One of the factors which drew George to Harper Adams was its placement year – and he spent his working for multinational manufacturer JCB in its Agricultural division after securing the JCB Business Scholarship.

George added: “I felt the placement year was a great way to open doors and gain access into a different sector of the agricultural industry. Having a lifelong passion for farm machinery, the opportunity to work for a global machinery manufacturer was unique. 

“JCB Agriculture was an ideal team for an Agriculture with Mechanisation student to join - as it links the manufacturing and selling of agricultural products. From the beginning I felt part of the team, of which a high percentage are Harper Adams alumni.”

Returning to Harper Adams in his final year, George was named first in the shortlist of the Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year awards – before then also being named as a finalist in the same category at the British Farming awards.

Course Tutor Dr Russell Readman said: “It was great to see a Harper Adams Agric featured again in the British Farming Awards. George was an excellent student and is a very worthy candidate for the award, which reflects the high calibre of Harper Adams Agriculture graduates.”

George will find out whether he wins either award at their respective ceremonies this autumn – but before then, he is looking forward to his graduation next month.

He added: “I’ll be incredibly proud. I found school a struggle at times and didn’t initially plan to go to university.

“Graduating and being a finalist for two Agricultural Student of the Year awards is something my 18-year-old self would never have believed!

“I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”