Two agriculture students studying at UCS College Group have been awarded Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries in recognition of their commitment to the future of farming.
Jack Tolman has been awarded a £500 Further Education Bursary, while Holly Sampson has secured a £750 Higher Education Bursary, both to support their studies.
Holly Sampson, a first-year agriculture student at University Centre Somerset, impressed the judges with her understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing UK agriculture. Having grown up on a mixed beef and sheep farm, she is passionate about ensuring farming remains productive and profitable, while adapting to climate pressures, policy changes and evolving expectations around sustainability.
The future of UK agriculture is entering a period of profound change, and I’m beginning to understand how science, technology and policy can shape a more sustainable and productive future for British farming. I hope to combine my farming experience with what I learn at university, returning home with ideas that can make our farm more resilient, efficient, sustainable and profitable.
Holly Sampson
UCS student
Holly plans to use the bursary to support her development throughout her degree as she builds the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to bring new ideas back to her family farm.
Jack, who is studying a Level 2 course in Agriculture at Cannington College, grew up on a mixed farm. He developed a passion for farming from a young age and is now focused on building the skills and knowledge needed to strengthen the long-term future of his family farm.
I have loved farming since I was a small child. I was always in the tractor with my grandad learning, and I want to make him proud and keep everything he and his family have worked for. With the world changing and British farms struggling, I want to learn as much as I can to make our family farm more sustainable for many more generations.
Jack Tolman
Cannington College student
Jack plans to use the bursary to support his studies and help him gain further experience across different areas of agriculture.
Now in their fifth year, the Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries offer financial support to agricultural students across the South West.
Celebrating the young people who are passionate about the future of farming is essential. Jack and Holly both showed real insight, ambition and a clear commitment to developing the skills needed to support the farming industry through change.
Peter Beaumont
Cornish Mutual Chief Executive Officer
The Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries are part of the Future Farming Programme, which supports the future of agriculture in the region. To find out more, visit: https://www.cornishmutual.co.uk/cmfuturefarming/young-farmer-bursaries/.