Nuffield Farming 2021 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2021 ‘Leading positive change in agriculture’

Cover Photograph: Dairy cow grazing mixed leys and blooming chicory, grown under regenerative farming principles by Dan Burdett NSch, on Cockhaise Farm in Haywards Heath Dan milks 480 organic, autumn calving Holstein-Friesians across two farms – one in Kent and one in Sussex. Around 1,400 acres of grassland are managed using regenerative farming techniques and fields are planted with diverse swards and herbal leys, including a mix of deep and shallow rooted varieties like clover, cocksfoot, plantain and chicory. His Scholarship study “Regenerative Agriculture: How to make the change happen” helped him build a more circular system on his farms and he continues to make changes across both businesses to achieve this.

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST In 1913 a young Englishman boarded a ship at Liverpool and sailed to the United States of America. There, he travelled to Detroit and saw how Henry Ford was mass producing automobile engines at a fraction of their cost in the United Kingdom. He brought these ideas back home and put them into practice in his factory at Cowley, Oxford. His name was William Morris, doyen of the British motor industry during its golden era, who was later made a peer, as Lord Nuffield, in 1934. In 1943 he gave £10 million to found the Nuffield Foundation which in 1947, recognising the linkage between health and good agricultural practices, began to fund scholarships for British farmers to travel in the footsteps of William Morris...

“VISION STATEMENT” Inspire passion in people and develop their potential to lead positive change in farming and food

OUR MISSION Leading positive change in agriculture - inspiring passion and potential in people

• Building knowledge through global experience • Sharing brilliant ideas • Making things happen • Developing tomorrow’s leaders • Inspiring commitment

NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS Each year Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to deserving individuals working in farming, horticulture, forestry or any other countryside and ancillary industry - or are in a position to influence those who do - and are resident in the United Kingdom. They will have spent at least two years working in their current appointment, be at least three years since leaving full time education or study and be no more than 45 years old. Applications are made electronically by 31st July each year via the website: www.nuffieldscholar.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Mike Vacher, Director Telephone: 01460 234012 Email: Director@NuffieldScholar.org

Copyright © Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust ISBN: 978-1-912059-30-0 Published by The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Southill Farmhouse, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, TA3 5SH Registered Charity Number 1098519

www.nuffieldscholar.org

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INTRODUCTION

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2021 edition of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Annual Report. Once again you will recognise a similar format to recent years, although, I hope you will appreciate some the adjustments we have made.

You will find the front sections continue to provide for an easy reference. This includes acknowledgement of all our many sponsors and supporters, with a record of personalities and lists of those achieving special awards over the years. Also included are reports of our recent activities and those of our Regional and Study Groups.

However, this year we have changed the contents in the second part of the Annual Report significantly. Rather than including the executive summaries of recent scholars we have replaced these with articles from a broad range of Scholars recounting their own, often very personal stories of their Nuffield journeys during and since their scholarships. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.

Indeed, it is very much hoped that you will enjoy the whole 2021 Annual Report and that it will provide a useful reference and record. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any ideas for developing it further.

Mike Vacher Director Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust

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INDEX Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust �������������������������������������1

NUFFI ELD FARMI NG JOURNEYS:

Introduction ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2

WYNNE JONES 1983 NSCH: Application of technology to milk production �������������������43

Index ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 3 Acknowledgements ���������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Personalities ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 Appointments & Special Awards ������������������������������������������ 8 Chairman’s Report ���������������������������������������������������������������� 10 Director’s Jottings �������������������������������������������������������������������12 Undertaking a Nuffield Farming Scholarship During Time of COVID �������������������������������������������������������������14 Mentoring Report ��������������������������������������������������������������������15 The Nuffield Russia Trust ����������������������������������������������������� 16 Nuffield Farming Finances – Update and Explanation ������18 Governance – an unofficial aide mémoire ��������������������������20 2020 Steven and Gillian Bullock Award ������������������������������ 22 2020 HSBC Salver ������������������������������������������������������������������ 23 Alumni Officer’s Report for 2021 ������������������������������������������ 24

SIMON WEAVER 1996 NSCH: Meat marketing; emphasis on the red meat sector - USA, Europe �������������46 NIC SNELL 1998 NSCH: Soft fruit marketing China, USA, Europe ����������������������������������������������������������������48 MATT SWAIN 2002 NSCH: The imperative of change management in farming �������������������������������������49 LOUISE MANNING 2007 NSCH: The impact of water quality and availability on food production �������� 52 JONATHAN BRUNYEE 2015 NSCH: Building a sustainable farm business ������������������������������������������������ 53 PATRICK HOOK 2015 NSCH: The challenges and opportunities for the UK broiler industry �������������������56 RICHARD COUNSELL 2016 NSCH: Getting Stable: Making uncertain farming futures a thing of the past ��������������������������������������������������� 57 ROBIN ASQUITH 2016 NSCH: The role UK agriculture can play in delivering social care �����������������������������������������60

Communication Report: ‘Fresh face & new frontiers…’ ���26

ANNA JONES 2016 NSCH: Help or Hinder?

How the Mainstream Media Portrays Farming to the Public ����������������������������������������������������������������������������64

C OU N T RY, REG I O N A L & S T U DY G RO U P R E P OR T S

JAMES CHAPMAN 2016 NSCH: How farm safety can be improved �������������������������������������������������������������������� 66

Poultry Group �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28

BEN TAYLOR-DAVIES 2016 NSCH: Blackgrass: System BEN offers alternative solutions to resistance management ������������������������������������������������������68

Pig Group ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������29 Welsh Region ��������������������������������������������������������������������������30 Northern Region ����������������������������������������������������������������������31 Anglian Region ������������������������������������������������������������������������31 Central Region ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 32 Horticulture Group ����������������������������������������������������������������� 33 Dairy Group ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33 ReGen Group �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 35 Beckett Scholar Group ���������������������������������������������������������� 35 Arable Group ���������������������������������������������������������������������������36 Business Group ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 37 West Midlands Region ���������������������������������������������������������� 37 Scottish Region ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 38 Golf Society �����������������������������������������������������������������������������40 2021 Scholars finally get to meet! ����������������������������������������41

BARBARA BRAY 2017 NSCH: Vegetable production for specific nutritional need �������������������������������������������������69 JUDE MCCANN 2017 NSCH: Securing farmers’ resilience in a changing world ��������������������������������������������� 70

CURRENT SCHOLARSHI P YEAR GROUPS: 2019 Presenting Scholars ����������������������������������������������������� 72 2020 Nuffield Farming Scholars ������������������������������������������ 74 2021 Nuffield Farming Scholars ������������������������������������������ 76 2022 Nuffield Farming New Scholars ��������������������������������� 78 Nuffield Farming 2022 Diary Dates ��������������������������������������80 Nuffield Farming’s 2022 Annual Conference ����������������������81 The Farmers Club & Saffery Champness ���������������������������82 Nuffield Farming Legacy ���������������������������� Inside back cover

Introduction: In their own words �����������������������������������������42

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS S CH O L A R S PO NS O R S

Malcolm Isaac NSch

The Nuffield Farming Scholars presently embarking on and engaged in their studies wish to express their sincere appreciation to all those who are supporting them on their travels and making their ‘Nuffield Journey’ possible, especially their Scholar Sponsors listed below.

McDonald’s UK & Ireland

2 0 2 0 S C HO L AR S H IP S AHDB Central Regional Farmers Trust Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) Food Chain Scholarship John Oldacre Foundation MacRobert Trust McDonald’s UK & Ireland National Trust NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Richard Lawes Foundation Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Thatchers Cider The Company of Merchants of the Staple of England The Thomas Henry Foundation Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Yorkshire Agricultural Society 2 0 2 1 S C HO L AR S H IP S AHDB Alan and Anne Beckett Awaard BEMB Trust East Sussex NFU Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) John Oldacre Foundation MacRobert Trust

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NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Richard Lawes Foundation Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland The Studley College Trust The Thomas Henry Foundation The Trehane Trust Worshipful Company of Butchers Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Young Nuffield Award 2022 SCH O LA RSH I PS AHDB Alan & Anne Beckett Award BEMB Trust Central Region Farmers Trust Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) John Oldacre Foundation MacRobert Trust McDonald’s UK and Ireland NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Richard Lawes Foundation Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland Royal Welsh Agricultural Society The Trehane Trust Worshipful Company of Butchers Worshipful Company of Farmers and Savills Worshipful Company of Gardeners Yorkshire Agricultural Society Young Nuffield Award

2 0 2 1 S C HO L AR BR IE F IN G S WITH S PEC I AL T H A N KS T O (I N A L P HA BET ICA L OR DER : John Alvis OBE NSch Johnny Alvis NSch Minette Batters, NFU President Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation

The Trust also wishes to thank the following individuals and organisations who generously support the awards and activities of the trust.

AHDB John Alvis NSch Alan & Anne Beckett NSchs

James Chapman MBE NSch

Dyson Farming

George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Margaret Bevin Gillian Bullock Hon NSch

Nick Green NSch

Sir John Campbell NSch

Adrian Hodkinson, HSE

Canterbury Farmers Club

Dr Neil Hudson MP

Corteva Agriscience

Jen Hunter NSch

Farmers Guardian

Anna Jones NSch, Just Farmers

Farmers Weekly

Fay Jones MP

Frank Arden Memorial Scholarship Fund

John Lamont MP

Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust

Chris Loder MP

Haymarket Exhibitions

Robin Manning, Director NFU Brussels Office

HSBC

Robbie Moore MP NSch

Institute of Agricultural Management

Alex Price, Just Farmers

Julian Darling NSch

Ges Ray, Public Speaking Coach

Kevin Green NSch

Martin Thatcher NSch

Natural England

James Thompson, Head of Farming Dyson Farming Ltd

NFU for England & Wales NSF Agriculture Richard Chantler Memorial Fund Roger Mercer NSch Royal Smithfield Club Royal Ulster Agricultural Society Saffery Champness Savills The Farmers Club The Kennel Club

First face-to-face meeting of 2021 NSchs at Thatchers Cider

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PERSONALITIES NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST 2020 - 2021 Patron

HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO

Vice Patrons

Alan & Ann Beckett NSchs

Gillian Bullock Hon NSch Julian Darling NSch Kevin Green NSch John Hunt NSch Malcolm Isaac NSch Julie Mate NSch Roger Mercer NSch

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2020 - 2021 Chairman

Chris Graf Grote NSch

Vice-Chairman Wyn Owen NSch Trustees Jim Baird NSch Sean Beer NSch David Gardner NSch Richard Percy Tom Rawson NSch Vicky Robinson NSch David Rose NSch Angus Selby NSch Nic Snell NSch Jo Speed NSch

2020-2021 SELECTION COMMITTEE

Chris Graf Grote NSch (Chairman)

Wyn Owen NSch (Vice-Chairman)

Matthew Currie NSch

Christine Snell

Richard Soffe

DIRECTOR Mike Vacher

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CHAIRS OF COUNTRY & REGIONAL GROUPS 2020 - 2021 Anglian

Tom Chapman

07717 505287

tgvc@hotmail.co.uk

Central

Oliver Surman

07788 441612

oliver@pegotyhedge.co.uk

East Midlands

Andrew Scoley

07836 349111

andrewscoley@btconnect.com

Northern

Jo Speed

07900 502860

jo.speed@yahoo.com

Northern Ireland

Greg Sommerville

07815 614784

gregg-s@hotmail.co.uk

Scotland

Jenna Ross

07843 479332

jenna.ross@abdn.ac.uk

South East

Sarah Calcutt

07767 783891

sarah@pip.business

South West

Richard Counsell

07984 277871

Richard@stableprice.com

Wales

Iwan Vaughan

07947 617307

Iwan.vaughan12@gmail.com

West Midlands

Rob Burtonshaw

07813 064615

rob@farmservicesltd.co.uk

SCHOLARS REPRESENTING STUDY GROUPS 2020 - 2021 Arable

Guy Smith

07740 048995

gsmith2692@aol.com

Beckett

Jamie McCoy

07887 771224

mccoy87@hotmail.co.uk

Beef & Sheep

John Yeomans

01938 810394

yeomans.ranch@btinternet.com

Business

Matt Swain

07957 867632

farmbusiness@aol.com

Dairy

Tim Downes

07740 782247

tim.downes1@virgin.net

Horticultural

Margaret Herbert

01386 751196

margaretH@reddeerherbs.co.uk

Pigs

Caroline Mitchell

07989 326106

caroline.mitchell@fqmglobal.co.uk

Poultry

Mick Tyers

07768 444198

mike.tyers@stonegate.co.uk

Regenerative Agriculture

Tom Chapman

07717 505287

tgvc@hotmail.co.uk

Post nominals are only included in full for The Patron.

The identification NSch is only included where it is appropriate to differentiate between others in that group (e.g. External Trustees)

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NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS APPOINTMENTS & SPECIAL AWARDS NUFFIELD FARMING CHAIRMEN

Jim Harrison

(With year of appointment)

Edward W Owens

1970 - John Cyster

Henry Plumb

1985 - Charles Wharton

Richard Trehane

1991 - Chris Older

Meryl Ward

1994 - Richard Holland

Charles Wharton

1997 - Stephen Fell

David Yonge

2000 - John Alvis 2003 - Wynne Jones 2005 - Campbell Tweed

JOHN STEWART SHIELD

2007 - Tony Pexton

(Given for the Best Presentation at the Annual Conference)

2009 - Jack Ward 2011 - Stephen Watkins 2014 - Wallace Hendrie 2016 - Julian Darling 2018 - Helen Woolley 2020 - Chris Graf Grote

1991 - George Russell 1992 - Ambrose Fowler 1993 - Kate Kerr 1994 - Emma Leonard 1995 - Guy Smith 1996 - Gwyn Jones 1997 - Mark Buckingham

NUFFIELD FARMING DIRECTORS (With year of appointment) 1968 - John Stewart (as Secretary and later Director) 1989 - Steven Bullock 2001 - John Stones 2013 - Mike Vacher

1998 - Tim O’Leary 1999 - Gary Naylor 2000 - Ger Bergin 2001 - Kevin Green 2002 - Belinda Clarke 2003 - Paul Fox 2004 - John Strawson 2005 - Robert Lasseter 2006 - Matthew Naylor

HONORARY UK NUFFIELD SCHOLARS (Past and Present) Anne Beckett Alison Blackburn Allan Buckwell Gillian Bullock Richard Butler Hazel Byford Douglas Carter Eric Carter Norman Coward Henry Fell Tony Harris 8

2007 - John Yeomans 2008 - Mike Tyers 2009 - Peter Gresty 2010 - Jim Shanks 2011 - Michael Blanche 2012 - Ian Pye 2013 - Joe Delves 2014 - Liam Stokes 2015 - David Walston 2016 - Aled Jones 2017 – Peter Wiggins-Davies 2018 - Alex Brewster 2019 - Angus Selby

HSBC SALVER FOR THE BEST STUDY REPORT 1999 - Julian Madeley 2000 - Cormac McKervey 2001 - Chris Lloyd 2002 - Philip Hughes 2003 - Donald MacPherson 2004 - Liz Bowles 2005 - Geoff Sansome 2006 - Juno McKee 2007 - Diana Allen 2008 – No award 2009 - Charlie Walker 2010 - David Alvis 2011 - Jim Shanks 2012 - Jo Franklin 2013 - Jez Ralph

STEVEN AND GILLIAN BULLOCK INNOVATION AWARD 2007 - Jo Scammel 2008 - Andrew Dyke 2009 - Lyndon Edwards 2010 - Matthew Dobbs 2011 - Ian Pigott 2012 - David Rose 2013 - Donald MacPherson 2014 - Neil Perkins 2015 - John Yeomans 2016 - Martin Thatcher 2017 – Andy Gage 2018 - Michael Dart 2019 - Jim Shanks 2020 - Stephen Briggs

2014 – Amy Jackson 2015 - Ali Capper 2016 - Werner Strydom 2017 - Neil McGowan 2018 - Richard Counsell 2019 - Jude McCann

UNRESTRICTED DONATIONS AND LEGACIES John Green Richard Matson Jill Willows

2020 - Jenna Ross

FRANK ARDEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS 1997 - John Alliston (as the preceding ‘Jubilee Scholarship’) 2000 - Guy Smith 2002 - Tony Pexton 2005 - Will Taylor 2007 - David Hugill, Jiggy Lloyd, Julian Morgan, Chris Pollock 2009 - Lindsay Hargreaves, David Gardner 2011 - Nik Johnson, Mark Tucker 2013 - Caroline Drummond, David Northcroft

REDESIGNATED NUFFIELD FARMING LECTURE 2018 - Michael Winter 2020 - Andrew Fearne

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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR 2021 CHRIS GRAF GROTE NSCH It is my privilege to report on our activities in an extraordinary year for the Trust. As I write, we have just awarded 18 scholarships for 2022 and had the first in-person get-together of the 2021 scholars. They are now beginning their Nuffield journeys in earnest and, judging by the enthusiasm and camaraderie will be a great year group. Despite the on-going vagaries of Covid, we had good applications for 2022 and I hope both year groups will impress you when you meet them at the conference.

Business as usual, you might think. Not so for our 2020 scholars who took the brunt of worldwide restrictions when just embarking on their travels. It is tough for them to get back into their scholarship agenda when much has changed in their personal and professional circumstances over the last 18 months. Much can be done on Zoom or Teams virtually in preparation and followup. However, ‘smelling the coffee’ remains the essential and real part of our scholarships. And it might just give you that light-bulb moment when you suddenly find out what its all about.

After hundreds of reports, our senior Editor Anne Beckett Hon NSch is retiring. Her dedication and scholar support, in time and thought over so many years is immeasurable, and we all owe her a great debt of gratitude. I am sure she will continue to read all reports with much interest and I thank our remaining Editors, Christine Hill and Alison Blackburn, for their continued engagement.

Working from home and having our usual meetings only virtually has allowed your Board to operate, but also put extra burdens on our office team. Mike Vacher has been determined to uphold all functions and thanks to unstinting support from Poey, his wife; Claire Laidler – our Office Manager; Charlotte Merson – our Alumni Officer; Lindsay Woods – Projects and Membership and Claire Bragg – Accounts; we are in excellent shape going forwards. I thank them all for their commitment, enthusiasm and hard work throughout the year and well beyond the call of duty. I will also include Emily Ball NSch and Kendra Hall 2022 NSch, from our PR agency Reverberate PR in this, who have kept us throughout in the public eye and well to the fore on social media.

I trust you like our new website and its many new and more interactive functions. Please look up

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the Reports Library, there are some real gems to read from all over the world and many provide an insight into how we might tackle the future challenges in our industry. The links to YouTube and other social media are good for up-to-date sources of information.

Our Regional and Study groups may not have been able to meet in person, but much has gone on virtually. When we got underway again this spring, the get-togethers I’ve attended have had a real buzz. I must also mention David Rose, who as new Trustee initiated the golfing group. By all accounts, this seems to be a great success and they have not just played several rounds already, but also visited other scholars in the process.

The new ‘Regenerative Agriculture Group’, Chaired by Tom Chapman and with Vice-Chair Matt Swain, is now incorporating the organic farming and sustainability groups and promises to come up with some interesting meetings.

Thanks to the financial prudence of my predecessors, our finances are in good shape.

Our investments went through a serious dip when Covid struck, but have recovered extraordinarily well. Our operating costs are under control and whilst we will not achieve an operating surplus – it has been raining pretty hard – the overall balance sheet has still improved again. I am most grateful to our donors and sponsors for their unwavering support in all we do and thus allowing us to develop further.

Over the last five years under the leadership and chairmanship of Helen Woolley we implemented our Strategic Plan 2017-2021. Office functions were professionalised, a new website established, funds raised and Charlotte Merson engaged as our Alumni Officer. She is our wizard on Zoom and if you have not yet met her, I am sure you will soon.

519.

On these foundations, we are now building Nuffield 100. In 2022, we will celebrate our 75th anniversary and this is a great moment in our history to look further ahead. At the Trustees ‘Away Day’ in August, we started a number of initiatives that build on our core value of ‘Building Knowledge through global experience’ with new scholarships. To serve our industry more comprehensively, we seek to engage the young and learning at one end and research and development at the other; with our traditional farming scholarships at the centre as the ‘doers’. At the young end we are in discussions with the Henry Plumb Foundation to further this and at the R&D end the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (ECCT), which is much engaged in furthering ‘Science into Practise’ and one of our major sponsors. You will have noticed ECCT as our new Title Sponsor and I must thank Chairman Paul May and his Trustees for their continued much valued engagement and support.

To complement this and looking ahead, we are launching ‘Friends of Nuffield’ to help raise funds for operations. David Gardner, our Trustee leading this initiative, will talk about it at the Conference. As our alumni, you can also help and please get in touch, if you know of any past scholar whom we might not have been able to reach for whatever reason.

The 2021 CSC in Norfolk was postponed to March 2022 and will now include both scholar years, 2021 and 2022. Whilst the numbers involved do not make this easy, we are getting well prepared with a most exciting programme involving the Norwich Research Park, Norfolk Food Hub, Coke of Holkham and the Houses of Parliament.

After a number of difficult years, I can report that Nuffield International (NI) is making great progress with new countries admitted and much sounder finances. This has been enhanced by a generous legacy of the sadly missed Chris Reichstein, 2014 Australian Scholar. In the spirit of this, your Trustees have decided to set up a similar fund for NI in the UK, to be made up from the Nuffield Russia Trust – see my article on page 16, and the Jill Willows legacy funds that she had wished for to be used for NI. Our scholars are forward looking and anticipating the tomorrow. It is therefore no surprise that all new scholars are looking at regenerative practises, sustainability and resilience as part of their study. I am often asked how this squares with the carbon footprint of international travel and whether we are right to support this. I am afraid my answer is simple: seeing is believing and meeting the best in your field around the world in their environment is not only inspiring, but continuously building our DNA. Our scholarships are for life and an investment in all our futures to get on with it - rather than to keep talking about it.

Finally, I would like to thank my Vice-Chair Wyn Owen and all the Trustees for their inspirational commitment, support and encouragement. You are a pleasure to work with; I think we are a good team and with Mike and his team, we are getting quite a lot done.

See you at the Conference…

SUPPORT THE NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST ‘Leading positive change in Agriculture Inspiring passion and potential in people’

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DIRECTOR’S JOTTINGS FOR 2021 MIKE VACHER What a strange but exciting year 2021 is turning out to be. We continue to manage the impact of the covid pandemic on our lives, taking delight at opportunities to meet faceto-face again, but, still wary of the awful implications of any unexpected developments in the pandemic. More and more of us are coming to recognise the impact the human race has had on the World, its climate and its future. A growing number of Countries and individuals are taking their own steps to reduce the impact of climate change – even though eventual success will depend on all the most powerful nations accepting the imperative of fundamental adjustments to their economies and societies. Whatever the dramas of covid and climate change, positive progress will also depend on strong individuals ‘stepping up’ to adapt, to innovate and to set an example. This is what Nuffield Farming, in its comparatively small way is all about – for the benefit of British Agriculture…..

The last 12 months have been characterised, not only by the need to adapt to the covid environment, but, to the continued success of Nuffield Farming in maximising the potential of the virtual environment. Less than 2 years ago few would have imagined The Pig Group enjoying a tour of a mega farm in Canada from the comfort of their armchairs and being able to engage in detailed question and answer session. We all recognise that ‘zoom videoconferences’ can never fully replicate actually meeting, feeling the mood music and body language in a room, and generally ‘smelling the coffee’. But, those scholars who have grabbed the opportunity to use the new ‘virtual’ way of doing things have been able to take their Nuffield Studies forward, to make better travel plans and, even, in their small way, to reduce their carbon footprint.

Interestingly, the ‘reach’ of Nuffield Farming has actually expanded during the pandemic.

Before covid we would have expected some 300-400 delegates to attend our annual conferences. Last year 1,100 registered and, amazingly, the recorded presentations attracted 12,000 viewings – and that figure goes on rising. We continue to promote and support webinars, especially those organised

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by Nuffield International and other Nuffield Countries, but, it is so good that our own Groups are beginning to get back to normal with events described later (pages 28 to 40).

Whatever, there can be no getting away from the impact that covid has and continues to have on our current 2020, 2021 and 2022 Nuffield Farming Scholars. Although, I am convinced that, eventually, these scholars will be able to complete their studies, there is no doubt that some will find their Nuffield journey changed, not only by covid but by developments in their careers, businesses and domestic circumstances. The Nuffield Farming Office Team continues to stand ready to support all scholars and we are determined to provide the best possible programme of events.

Throughout the year, ‘contingency planning’ has been the ‘name of the game’ – plan, plan and plan again! We have had to postpone the 2021 Contemporary Scholars Conference until 2022 – with all that implies. The first face-toface event for 2021 Scholars evolved over three iterations which included one, unsustainable, week long programme in Europe, before we finally got everyone together in Somerset. You will appreciate that making the arrangements for hotel and facility bookings has been

complicated by the need to ensure any financial commitments are carefully managed so as not to expose the Trust to undue risk.

For example, the contract for an annual conference generally involves costs of tens of thousands of pounds and the cancellation clauses have become very important!

the Communication Committee and has guided the whole Digitalisation Project and development of our communications. Our new fundraising leaflet “Friends of Nuffield” was the initiative of David Gardner and David Rose has been successful at reengaging with Alumni that had been out of contact.

Along the way other major projects have been taken forward. The Digitalisation Project is almost completed. The new website is regularly complimented. It’s integral database of all scholars worldwide is being re-discovered and used by growing numbers.

The Report Library is accessed more often than any other page, apart from the home page, and the associated components – online booking system, electronic application package, finance package as well as social media packages – are nearing completion.

Those leading all the Regional and Study Groups play a big role in the success of Nuffield Farming. They provide the bedrock of the Alumni, by the running of all the many events that enable the Nuffield Family to keep in touch and continue to benefit from the organisation over the years following their scholarship. Most importantly they, along with Charlotte Merson, our Alumni Officer, provide the personal contact to successfully recruit new, quality scholars.

More importantly, as our Chairman has explained in his report, Trustees are developing the next Strategic Plan (Nuffield 100) to take the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust to a new level. You will appreciate that the new scholarships will further expand the reach and relevance of the Trust whilst the principle of collaboration with other charities, with similar objects, will broaden our platform within the agricultural community. This will take time to bring to fruition, but, it is very much hoped that pilot scholarships and associated announcements will be achieved in 2022.

Finally, however, I must echo the Chairman’s appreciation for all the unstinting, commitment and support that Anne Beckett has given to help Scholars produce their Study Reports to the best possible standard.

Not that many will understand the role that she and Alan have played in the development of Nuffield Farming and, indeed, Nuffield International over the years. We would not be where we are today without them…

Concealed in these broad jottings is an enormous amount of commitment, enthusiasm and effort. Many Scholars and Supporters put endless hours into Nuffield Farming. Our Trustees, are largely unseen but work diligently to ensure that all our activities are appropriately governed, financed and planned. Special thanks is due to them all, but, especially to Chris Graf Grote, for his leadership and energy; to Wyn Owen for his support and guidance, especially, as Chair of the Finance Committee and overseeing Nuffield Mentoring and Nic Snell who leads The popular Nuffield Report Library

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UNDERTAKING A NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP DURING TIME OF COVID Rising to the challenge Undertaking a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, a travel-based activity, during a global pandemic, which saw a stop to international travel, has been tricky to say the least!

There have been virtual meet ups, a virtual Pre CSC, with some outstanding speakers, and we’re beginning to see in-person activity but with international travel still very much curtailed. Some Scholars have found ingenious ways to progressing their scholarships, even in these challenging times…

There is an old saying about ‘Time spent in preparation etc etc’ and when these Scholars finally get the ‘green light’ to travel I am sure it will be proved again.

Camilla Hayselden- Ashby, a 2021 Scholar studying ‘Hemp: how can UK farmers take advantage of this profitable, sustainable crop?’ has undertaken preparatory study during this period and taken the opportunity to visit hemp producers in the UK and Jersey.

“I’m taking the accredited route with my Nuffield so, via the University of Aberystwyth, I’ve had access to some great research and literature, and have had the luxury of time to do the preparatory desk work for my Scholarship,” says Camilla. “I’ve also been able to make visits in the UK and Jersey which have helped me keep momentum going.”

“Spending time visiting UK Scholars and researching my subject in this country means I’ve got a really good understanding of the industry and issues that I can take with me when I do get to travel abroad,” says James McCartney, a 2021 Scholar studying ‘UK red meat production: how to win the battle for environmental sustainability in the mind of the consumer.’ “I actually think spending that time getting to know our industry here is a great way to start a Nuffield Scholarship.”

James has also been able to travel to Italy in recent months, on a trip in association with the National Sheep Association, where he found a very warm welcome.

“I applied to Nuffield to study if we are investing in the right agriculture technologies and innovations and I’d hope to travel to North America and Europe to visit start-ups, established companies, financers and policymakers at the forefront of the AgriTech revolution,” says 2020 Scholar Edward Jones. “But lockdown meant that the plans and aspirations I had put in my travel plan went out the window and it was time to rethink how I could continue with my study from the family farm (until it was safe to travel again).

“Virtual tours and Zoom meetings quickly became the norm in seeing new technology and meeting new people. LinkedIn and Twitter became essential in networking and finding new leads.

While lockdown meant no travelling, it did give me time to develop and follow new leads, and technology made it possible to connect with people from all over the world “Covid-19 presented a unique opportunity to see which technologies and innovations actually helped our food chains and production during a period of stress and uncertainty,” he adds.

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MENTORING REPORT The Mentoring programme for new Scholars continues to go from strength to strength, with all but one of the 2021 Scholars electing to take advantage of a Mentor. Trustees would like to thank Julie Mate NSch for all her time, energy and support in initially establishing the pilot programme and ensuring its success.

The concept of Mentoring in the Nuffield context, is that newly appointed Scholars choose a more experienced Scholar as a Mentor. The Mentor is therefore someone who has experience of successfully completing their Scholarship and also a sound understanding of the basic principles of performance coaching namely: •

Listen not tell

•

Enhance the process

•

Clarify goals

•

Develop Action plans

•

Act as a catalyst

Furthermore, as the programme develops momentum and recognition, we now have Nuffield Mentors who bring the added experience of having had Mentors during their own Scholarship.

Fundamentally the principle role of the Nuffield Mentor is to maximise the Scholarship experience and impact for the Scholar. It is important to note that Mentoring is an art not a science and the success of the process is heavily dependent on adequate commitment from the Scholar. It is also crucial that the Mentor:Mentee relationship is sufficiently well established that the Scholar feels confident and safe to reach out to their Mentor if they’re experiencing difficulty.

Aled Rhys Jones, 2015 Nuffield Farming Scholar says: “Without doubt, my mentor had a huge impact on my Nuffield scholarship. He helped me marshal my thoughts when my study had the potential of going in all different directions. He knew when I had not done enough planning around my trips and he could spot waffle in my report a mile off! I certainly got a lot out of the relationship, and I’d like to think that he did too.”

Barbara Bray, 2017 Nuffield Farming Scholar says: “I found the experience of being mentored helped me to focus ahead of each session. I was able to bounce ideas off my mentor and generally think out loud which enabled me to get a different perspective and also learn to take a step back and enjoy my time during my Scholarship.”

Tanya Robbins, 2013 Nuffield Farming Scholar and Mentor says: “To be a Nuffield Mentor is a privilege, sharing the journey with new Scholars but only as much as the mentee wishes for. My own Nuffield journey has been life changing and this was an opportunity to put something back. As new mentors we received training from Wyn and a handbook to refer to which gave me the confidence to be a part of the programme.

Mentor/mentee conversations are strictly private, but I know that if I need guidance Wyn is there.

Being a part of this initiative has been a lovely way to meet fellow Nuffielders from all generations as mentors, but especially the three wonderful new Scholars I have had the privilege to get to know. I also believe that the new skills I have learnt and put to use on this scheme, have helped me in the other roles I have in my farming life and with the rural charities I help.”

We are always looking for new mentors and currently particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. So if you would like to support future Scholars in this way, whilst also developing your coaching and listening skills, please contact Wyn (wyninclover@ hotmail.com) or Charlotte (charlotte@ nuffieldscholar.org).

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Initial agreement to set up NRT in April 1991 From left to right: Arable Director of research farm Slavenskoje, Director of Slavenskoje, Governor of Kaliningrad Oblast Jurij Matochtkin, myself, 1st Secretary of the Communist Party Kaliningrad Oblast, James Nelstrop, Evgenij Perov, Head of Agriculture Kaliningrad Oblast

THE NUFFIELD RUSSIA TRUST 1. BACKGROUND During his scholarship in 1984 James Nelstrop met the UK - USSR Agricultural Attaché. His successor Dr Zhiltov followed up the contact in 1988 to explore how co-operation with UK agriculture might help Russian agriculture following the easing of Cold War tensions and Gorbachev’s visits to the UK. James went to Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) and Stephen Bullock, James and their wives were invited by the Non-Black Earth Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Leningrad to visit Russia on a fact-finding mission. I had just applied for my scholarship in late 1988. Following their visit, Evgenii Perov, the Academy’s PR journalist, came to the UK as the academy’s representative to study UK agriculture as a guest of Nuffield Farming in early 1990, hosted principally by James. Evgenii became the “Russian Nuffield Scholar”. I got my scholarship but deferred it for one year, because I had a 4 months consultancy contract to finish in Pakistan.

Then the Wall came down in November 1989.

2. MY SCHOLARSHIP For the Russian part of my study in summer 1990, I was the guest of the Academy and hosted throughout by Eugenii. I was also charged by NFST to select some young potential candidates for a British Council/ Nuffield/John Green funded “Introduction to Western Agriculture” a 6 week, fully funded residential course at Brooksby Agricultural

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College, 2 from Poland and 9 from Russia (amongst others, I selected in Poland Tomasz Zdziebkowski – now CEO of Spearhead International; and Victor Semenov – Minister of Agriculture in Russia 1998, Chairman of Russia’s NFU, oligarch, benefactor and chairman/principal shareholder of Belaya Dacha, a multimillion real estate and agribusiness based on the outskirts of Moscow). Both examples show what impact even small scholarships can have with the right people.

3. KALININGRAD AND THE NUFFIELD RUSSIA TRUST Immediately after my study, I was contacted via Deutsche Bank by the Governor of Kaliningrad, Jurii Matochkin, and asked to visit the Oblast in November 1990 to see whether we could help their disastrous agriculture.

Kaliningrad is the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea wedged in between Lithuania and Poland. It was the German province of East Prussia before WWII. James came along with Evgenii and with the Governor we agreed to find out whether the Leningrad Academy’s local Research Station at Slavenskoie could be turned into a ‘model’ farm (6,000ha) and vocational agriculture school. In return for us finding the funding and setting up the centre, the Academy was to put the Estate into a Russian/UK Trust (the first of its kind), so there were some assets to work with and use as collateral.

We set up the UK side of the Trust with The Earl of Selborne as first Chairman and later Lord Plumb. James became CEO with HQ at his home; I became arable Director and Paul Charter livestock Director, all on consultancy contracts. We had an initial grant from the Nuffield Foundation and Official Development Assistance (ODA) of £300,000, having discussed the plans with John Gummer, then Minister of Agriculture; and Linda Chalker, Minister at Department of Trade and Industry and others. We then approached the EU who, through the newly established TACIS programme, provided £1.2million over 3 years for the educational side. Farm inputs were bought or provided free of charge by seed companies (semen, potatoes, wheat, barley varieties) and machinery bought or given by UK manufacturers. The ex-principal of Chadacre Agricultural College, Ed Hewitt, was recruited to run the centre with 2 Assistant Farm Managers and local translators. A house was fully renovated for accommodation and the farm had the benefit of the inputs provided under our direction, raising yields manifold.

We continued until the end of the EU funding in 1995, having set up a dairy (still operating today), educating many local aspiring farmers and providing ‘How To Do’ manuals for the whole of the CIS, still used today (how to make hay, grow potatoes, feed cattle etc.). Needless to say, the farm has gone backwards since.

The Trust was wound up in 1998. My last visit to Slavenskoie was in February 2020. The research farm does not exist anymore.

Hall and part of farmyard. The small house in the middle was turned into our accommodation

Another ‘farmyard’ with workshop

In 1992 Jelzin decreed that all Academy Research Stations/EHF’s were to become Academy properties, rather than remain in the ownership of the State. This appeared to be ideal for our Trust in the making, but the hierarchy in, by now, St Petersburg decided not to sign up, as they thought they would lose their private privileges (honey, meat, dacha etc – all important in those days), if the Kaliningrad Research Farm would disappear out of their ownership portfolio into our joint Trust. Hence the deeds were never signed, and we had to turn the project into purely educational.

The NRT was run as a commercial enterprise with all involved either receiving salaries (staff on site) or consultancy fees at half commercial rate and expenses. Many Nuffield alumni got involved in one way or another, providing advice and training. Amongst them were John Alliston, Wynne Jones, Richard Holland, Ken Neilson and Chris Older. When the Trust was wound up, unusually for projects of that kind, we had made a profit. This was largely due to James’ excellent finance management and we decided to donate it to NFST. Chris Graf Grote NSch

All in all 6,000ha of mostly very good land badly farmed

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NUFFIELD FINANCES ….. This article provides an update and explanation of our latest Finances – and some parts are retained from previous versions to provide an ongoing reference. We are very fortunate to have strong finances as we operate in the new ‘covid environment’. What is more, the support of our sponsors has continued much as before and, importantly, substantial new donations have been received. Long may this situation continue.

AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE… Since 1947, when our scholarships were first awarded and funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust has assumed, firstly responsibility for scholarships costs (in 1956) and later all finances (in 1968). The organisation became a registered charity and company limited by guarantee in 2003 and since then has been run under the legally binding rules and regulations of these bodies. The Trustees are responsible for setting strategic objectives, ensuring that the Trust complies with its formal obligations and authorising the annual budget for the Director to implement.

Currently, Nuffield Farming is fortunate to receive sponsorship for all scholarships awarded. Indeed, more organisations have promised support than the number of scholarships available – notwithstanding the geographical and specialist restrictions of some. In general terms, annual donations are used to fund a proportion of overheads (currently approximately 25%) with the balance being made up by general sponsorship along with investment income, donations and a small amount of scholar sponsorship funds. In recent years, until 2018-19, this has provided a small operating surplus (after deduction of major donations) in the order of 5% of normal income. However, again this year, additional costs have meant that an operating deficit approximately equivalent to 10% of normal income was incurred. More general sponsorship would be welcomed! Nevertheless, it is emphasised that because of the generosity of major donors the statutory accounts continue to show a healthy surplus of approximately £340k in 2020-21.

In addition, over the years the Trust has built up a portfolio of investments that provides reserves for the short and long term. Despite initial decline at the beginning of the covid emergency, as reflected in the last 2019-20 Statutory Accounts, these have continued to recover and performed well during this 2020-21 financial year.

HEADLINES FROM RECENT YEARS 2013 – 2021 2012-13

2020-21

Trend

Total Net Assets:

£835,100

£3,201,836

<Quadrupled

Investment Holdings:

£735,300

£3,068,241

>Quadrupled

Expenditure less Scholarships:

£164,500

£175,732

+7%!

Cost of Administration & Overheads:

£114,000

£155,995

+37%!

Note: ‘!’ indicates significant reduction from last year, due, in the main, to the impact of covid restrictions.

FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES, RESERVES ALLOCATIONS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY (from the 2020-21 Trustees Annual Report and the Policy) The strategic management of Trust’s finances are run according to the policy setting out the overarching Financial Objectives, Reserves Allocations and Investment Strategy for the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. The overarching Financial Objectives of the Trust are to: maintain two years’ expenditure in reserve; provide stable and consistent levels of expenditure and maximise returns, but within the agreed level of risk - and will guide other decisions.

Given these objectives and to enable a method of monitoring progress against them Trustees have determined to establish a short term reserve and a long term reserve. The Short Term Reserve retains the net surplus of all income (including investment income), less any expenditure and comprises of both unrestricted and restricted funds at a range of around £200,000. The Long Term Reserve benefits from any investment returns (other than income), together with any ad hoc donations that Trustees want to keep for the long term (such as legacies). Investment fees are paid from this reserve. It can comprise a general (unrestricted) fund and other restricted funds where the intention is to hold a lump sum for the long term.

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The detailed management of investments is the responsibility of the appointed professional managers.

However, Trustees set an Investment Strategy as the mandate under which these operate. This is in two parts: Liquidity, or the amount of cash the organisation needs to have access to at any one time and an Investment Policy, setting out how money may be allocated. It is considered unlikely that the Long Term fund will hold less than 70% in real assets. In addition, a separate operational liquidity balance of £200,000 is retained to provide protection should the usual dividends from the invested funds be interrupted. Any restricted funds are invested alongside unrestricted funds subject to the investment policy. Individual donors are listed separately in the annual accounts without reference to whether their gift has been spent or not. Trust assets are, therefore, invested to ensure that two years’ expenditure is available for unforeseen emergencies. Given the above, the investment policy is simply assessed against the cheapest available way of investing money in assets with similar volatility protection. Fund Managers are measured against a passive index of 80% in global equities and 20% in investment grade bonds.

This policy and the Fund Managers progress is reviewed annually for compliance with the mandate, and every three to five years for performance and volatility (when measured against that benchmark). The aim is to have a higher performance and lower volatility than the benchmark.

RECENT PERFORMANCE 2020-21

2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

Operating Surplus:

-£90k

-£60k

£18k

£32k

Unrealised Investment Gains:

£433k

-£133k

£79k

£7k

£55k

£522k

£1,156k

£91k

Donations Restricted/Unrestricted Funds: Net Movement in Funds:

£343k

£229k

£1,175k

£122k

Net Assets/Balance Carried Forward:

£3,202k

£2,858k

£2,630k

£1,455k

Investments:

£3,068k

£2,618k

£2,865k

£1,520k

NOTES ON RECENT PERFORMANCE FIGURES: • Operating Surplus. In recent years, until 2018-19, Trustees have set a budget with an operating surplus in the order of £25,000 – including investment income. This has not been sustained as explained above. However, included in the 2020-21 operating deficit is a commitment of £30k towards the Digitalisation project.

• Unrealised Investment Gains/Losses. This is sometimes referred to as ‘investment growth’ (or decline) and for which there are no fixed targets. Rather the movement in funds reflects changes in the stock market with a negative figure indicating a reduction in value.

The growth of investments in 2017-18 was less than we had become used to but returned to ‘normal’ in 2018-19. In 2019-20, however, we suffered a decline of -£133k, only for this to ‘bounce back’ dramatically this year.

• Donations to Restricted/Unrestricted Funds. The Trust continues to benefit by the generosity of charitable and private donors to establish ‘restricted funds’ to be used specifically for their scholarships. In the 2017-18 financial year major legacies were received totalling £91k. In the 2018-19 financial year donations were received for a John Oldacre Restricted Fund of £1,100k as well as a further legacy from the Jill Willows Estate of £162k. In 2019-20 major donations totalling £522k were received or formally promised, but, in 2020-21 the amount was £55k.

• Net Movement in Funds. This figure shows the final, overall, increase or decrease in funds.

• Balance Carried Forward. This is the Net Worth of the Trust and reflects that of the previous year plus or minus the net movement in funds. Readers will appreciate that, whatever else has occurred the effective doubling of the Trust’s worth over 3 years must be considered exceptional!

• Investments. This is the total value of the short and long term reserves. These have grown considerably over recent years and the unrestricted funds or free reserves now total £1,504k which continues to be just under 50% of the investments.

SUMMARY The Nuffield Farming finances continue to be reassuringly strong. The overall annual increase in the value of the Trust is satisfactory and reflects the generous support of our sponsors and benefactors without which free reserves would have to be used to fund our activities.

Even though the operating deficit is disappointing and may well be repeated next year the overall, final result as set out in the Statutory Accounts is still satisfactory. The amount of free reserves, along with the security of major legacies, enables Trustees to confidently allocate monies towards new initiatives as these occur - whilst being sure that funds will still be available to carry the Trust over any downturn in its fortunes.

Whilst Trustees continue to bear down on administrative costs, they also recognise that increased levels of operational performance may need additional funding. Going forwards, it must be recognised that new initiatives are likely to need increased expenditure. This will only be possible if new sources of funds are identified or some funds from the free reserves are realised …..

Mike Vacher

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GOVERNANCE OF THE NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST - an unofficial aide mémoire INTRODUCTION This note is provided on the direction of the Trustees as an aide mémoire of the governance of the Trust. It should not be considered an authoritative document, although, it is hoped that it will provide a helpful ready reference.

OVERVIEW The ‘Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust’ (NFST) is a registered charity (No. 1098519) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 04787639). All its activities are governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 4th June 2003 as amended by special resolution dated 21st November 2014. The Trustee Board controls the Trust and is responsible for overseeing its activities on behalf of the Members to whom it reports at general meetings, with an annual general meeting being held annually. The Trustee Board must meet at least twice a year and has terms of reference to cover its activities and those of its three sub-committees: the NFST Finance, Communications and Nominations Committees.

The Trust is promoted and fostered by a network of countrywide regional and study groups.

and outline the administration of the Trust. The full Memorandum and Articles of Association are available from the NFST Office.

OBJECTS All activities of the Trust must be towards promotion of its Objects which are: “…to promote agricultural, horticultural, forestry and countryside management education in the United Kingdom and abroad and to advance the standard of farming (including the food supply chain, horticulture, forestry and countryside management and associated topics) in the United Kingdom by the provision of Scholarships to [eligible] persons to enable them to study the practices and techniques employed anywhere in the world.”

MEMBERS MEMORANDUM AND A R T I C L E S O F AS S O C I AT I O N The Memorandum is the document which governs the relationship between the company and the outside world and sets out, in particular, the core objects of the Trust, eligibility for a scholarship, and the powers which may be exercised to promote its objects. The Articles describe how the Trust is run, governed and owned. These: define membership; set out how general meetings will be run; describe the organisation, proceedings and powers of the Trustee Board; set the parameters for the Selection Committee and scholars’ obligations;

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A Member of the Trust is a Nuffield Scholar, an Honorary Nuffield Scholar or a Recognised Sponsor/Sponsor’s Representative who pays at least the qualifying subscription or sponsorship as approved by the Trustees.

TRUSTEE BOARD The Trustee Board is formed by 6 – 13 elected individuals of whom at least 75% must be Nuffield Scholars. Each year one quarter of Trustees retire (excluding Chair and Vice Chair) as at the AGM and are eligible for re-election

until they have served for six years, excluding any period served as a Returning Scholar Trustee.

Presently (as at November 2021) the Trustee Board is formed by: 9 Nuffield Scholars including the Chair and Vice Chair; 2 Returning Scholar Trustees representing the most recently completed year groups(2018 and 2019), and 1 External Trustee. The 10 Nuffield Scholar and External Trustees are elected/re-elected at the AGM, the Returning Scholar Trustees are initially elected by their year groups and formally confirmed at the AGM. The Chair and Vice Chair each serve for two years in that office unless the AGM decides that there are exceptional circumstances which justify one additional year.

Their retirement in accordance with the six year rule is postponed whilst in office.

The Trustee Board has the powers to: •

appoint additional Trustees up to the maximum of 13 until the next AGM;

•

appoint and remove the Director;

•

nominate the Chair and Vice Chair from the Nuffield Scholars on the Board;

•

recommend Trustee Board Members for re-election.

and make other administrative arrangements including forming sub-committees, making standing orders, rules, procedures and arrangements to promote the good governance of the Trust and its wider success. The Trustee Board currently meets four times each year.

October. Before their interview it is normal for the applicants to have the opportunity to meet with representatives of their Country or as coordinated by the Alumni Officer.

SUB-COMMIT TEES The Trustee Board has currently established three committees /sub-committees: •

Communications Committee. To consider all matters relating to communication with scholars and to the world outside the Trust on the work and purpose of the Trust to enhance its performance and reputation, and to advise and make recommendations to the Trustee Board. It currently meets four times each year before the corresponding Trustee Board meeting.

•

Finance Committee. To advise the Trustee Board on matters relating to finance and financial procedures. It regularly reviews financial policy, reserves and investment policies, monitors in year financial progress and recommends an annual budget. It currently meets four times each year before the corresponding Trustee Board meeting and is led by the Vice Chair.

•

Nominations Committee. To propose nominations to the Trustee Board of those to be recommended to the AGM to fill vacancies or appointments on the Trustee Board. It is currently formed by the Chair, Vice Chair and Chair of the Communications Committee and meets once each year prior to the AGM.

SELECTION COMMIT TEE The Selection Committee consists of the Chair and Vice Chair of the Trust and three others decided by the Trustees. Currently, the others consist of two external and one Nuffield Scholar members and their appointment is endorsed at the AGM. Members serve for a maximum of two terms of three years. Applications for scholarships are submitted electronically by 31st July each year. The Selection Committee meets to shortlist applicants for interview in

Mike Vacher

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2020 STEVEN AND GILLIAN BULLOCK AWARD The winner of the 2020 Stephen and Gill Bullock Award has used his Nuffield experience to transform his farm business over the past decade. But he has also had a significant impact on farmers and policy makers on a national and European level, championing an approach to farming designed to boost yields, increase farm resilience and improve soil quality.

From the beginning Stephen also championed agroforestry among fellow farmers, giving talks across the country and working closely with organisations such as the Woodland Trust to bring agroforestry from the margins into the mainstream. He now lectures on the topic at Warwick university and provides agroforestry advice to farmers throughout the UK and Ireland as well as in France, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and China.

Stephen Briggs used his Nuffield travels to study the application of agroforestry in temperate climates, having seen it in action in the tropics when he worked in East Africa in his youth. He visited farmers who had adopted agroforestry in North America, Europe and China and returned convinced that the approach could work well in the UK. He set to work on his rented 100 hectare Cambridgeshire farm, persuading his landlord to allow him to plant 4,500 fruit trees alongside organic wheat, barley and oats to establish the UK’s largest agroforestry system.

As he hoped, Stephen found that the trees made his farm much more resilient to erosion and crop damage from fenland winds and rain.

They also created better drainage in Winter and helped to retain moisture in the Summer, boosting conventional crop performance while adding a fruit crop to his farm output.

And the trees attracted birds and insects, increasing biodiversity on the farm.

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Ten years after embarking on his Nuffield journey, Stephen is now widely recognised as the pioneer of agroforestry in the UK - he literally wrote the book on the subject, as co-author of the Agroforestry Handbook published last year.

Not content with driving change in the UK, Stephen set up the European Agroforestry Federation to promote agroforestry across Europe and influence policy at an EU level.

The organisation now has 280 members in 25 countries and successfully lobbied the EU to relax restrictions on the number of trees per hectare allowed for land to qualify for support under the CAP. Keen to connect with consumers and educate the public on farming, three years ago Stephen built a farm shop, café and education centre on his farm. That £250k investment has produced a business that now employs 11 people and generates an annual turnover of £400k, bringing thousands of people onto the farm each year.

Stephen’s growing involvement in policy development has led to him presenting to Government ministers, acting as a steering group member for DEFRA’s Environmental Land Management scheme and advising

Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Committee on Climate Change.

And on top of all that, since 2014 Stephen has worked part-time as head of soils at Innovation For Agriculture, part of the RASE, where he has helped re-write the BASIS soil and water qualification and developed a series of soil video tutorials.

The judges were hugely impressed by the journey that Stephen has made since completing his Nuffield research, by the influence he has had, both locally and internationally, on farmers and policymakers and by the passion he has brought to everything he has turned his hand to over the past ten years. He is a very worthy winner of the 2020 Bullock Award.

2020 HSBC SALVER

Jenna Ross 2018 NSch with the HSBC Salver for the Best Study Report for her Nuffield year group. This was announced at the virtual 2020 Annual Conference. Jenna’s report is titled ‘Riding the slime wave: Gathering global data on slug control’

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ALUMNI OFFICER’S REPORT FOR 2021 CHARLOT TE MERSON

It has been a busy year for Nuffield Farming and myself; my husband and I welcomed our daughter Elizabeth Rose in April and have thoroughly enjoyed adjusting to life as parents.

Thank you for the kind wishes and for bearing with me during a few months of reduced working hours.

With COVID continuing to restrict in-person events, virtual events have become the norm. These have continued to surpass expectations in terms of attendees and postevent views and engagement. These have enabled Nuffield Farming to connect to a far greater audience and reconnect with Alumni who have been unable to attend ‘in person’ in the past.

Following the conference series, we held the Nuffield Farming AGM and Public AGM. This was the first time the event has been open to members of the public; it was thoroughly well received.

Over the past year we have run the following events remotely: •

Mini conference series

•

Nuffield Farming open evening

•

Farm Walks

•

Group events

•

Application drop-in sessions

The mini conference series ran throughout October and November with 2019 Scholars presenting in groups of 4 or 5 with Q&A opportunities at the end of each presentation. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate these Scholars on their exceptional presentations and express my thanks to them for their flexibility and commitment to rehearsals and understanding new technology ahead of the conference series. The series was very popular and really opened Nuffield Farming to a wider and more diverse audience with over 1,100 registering, the recordings were made available on YouTube and on Nuffield Farming’s social media and have received thousands of views.

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January was a busy start to the year; we hosted a virtual open evening for potential Scholars. This was very popular with 45 joining us on the night- reassuringly, most of whom went on to submit an application.

Sarah Pick was the guest speaker and gave us a fabulous over-view of her Nuffield Farming experiences with a particular focus on the GFP. Thank you, Sarah for your inspiring words and answering all questions so openly and honestly.

Nuffield Farming was generously awarded a grant from Garfield Weston which enabled us to work with the Farming Community Network (FCN) and Focussed Farmers (FF). We delivered a programme of support for Nuffield Scholars and the wider farming community encompassing both business resilience advice and a support system to aid mental wellbeing. With COVID having such an impact over both 2020 and 2021 both of these topics were welcomed by participants.

Working with our partners, we implemented a 4-tiered approach to delivering the programme.

Minette Batters and others. The event ran over a week and a half and the Scholars posed some excellent questions to our speakers.

1.

Informative videos for social media alongside a series of short videos from Scholars for both social media and FCN’s FarmWell website.

2.

Farm walks

3.

Series of online webinars focusing on different areas of business management

As restrictions eased over the summer months a number of Regions and Groups were able to host events again. In July I attended the Great Yorkshire Show for the annual Northern Region event. Both those presenting and the attendees were thrilled to return in-person.

4.

In-depth interviews on personal and business resilience hosted by FCN

5.

Regular online workshops themed around wellbeing and resilience hosted by Holly Beckett

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the wonderful guest speakers and farm walk hosts: Heather Wildman, Mike Tyers, Seth Pascoe, Jamie McCoy, Jake Freestone, Richard Pennock and Jonathon Jones. All sessions stimulated interest from those familiar with the subject matter or who were new to the concepts. Feedback was positive both on how well the presentations and subjects were delivered and how engaging the hosts were throughout.

Encouragingly there was a lot of interest this year from potential Scholars and we ran twice monthly ‘Introduction to Nuffield’ events; understandably there was concern over when international travel could resume which led to a slight reduction in submitted applications.

Fortunately, applications received were of a high quality and I was excited by the potential shown by the 2022 applicants. There was a mixture of face to face and zoom mock interviews and, with special covid precautions in place, all shortlisted were interviewed in person at the Saffrey Champness offices in London. They came in with a broad range of proposed subjects across a wide variety of the farming industry. Eighteen scholarships were awarded and we wish all of the new scholars the very best of luck.

The 2021 Scholars were treated to a brilliant ‘virtual’ Pre CSC, fortunately this did not dampen spirits or the quality of the guest speakers. We enjoyed presentations and discussions with; Robbie Moore, George Eustice, Ges Ray, James Thompson, Robin Manning, Anna Jones, James Chapman,

Operating remotely through COVID has clearly increased engagement and opened access to a larger audience. Now in-person events are returning, we look forward to supporting our Scholars and hearing from our Alumni about what impact COVID has had on their farming experiences and what has been learnt from it.

2021 NSchs Virtual Pre-CSC event with Minette Batters

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FRESH FACE & NEW FRONTIERS: GROWING NUFFIELD’S BRAND E M I LY B A L L N S C H & K E N D R A H A L L N S C H : R E V E R B E R AT E P R

Most of us were happy to see the back of 2020, eagerly welcoming a new year and fresh start. This year has provided the opportunity to reflect and build on the amazing things achieved in 2020, with the help of technology such as virtual talks, social media campaigns, farm walks, and even an annual conference! We also were able to able to take on new opportunities to grow Nuffield Farming’s brand and influence in print and digital…

We now have a fantastic new website that allows us to communicate Nuffield’s mission and market our Scholarships to future generations of Scholars in a more engaging and modern way. Our report library is now much easier to browse and links reports with their corresponding Scholar’s and Sponsor’s bio pages. The website will remain a work in progress as we continue to include updates and add engaging content that tells our story and that of our Scholars.

We are continuing to build on the popular “I am Nuffield” campaign to inspire the next generation of Scholars, representing a wider range of sectors and study topics than ever before. Also carrying over from last year’s successes was the digital farm walk, this time showcasing Jonathon Jones NSch 2001 and his very successful English-grown tea business, Tregothnan. It was a fascinating look into a unique market, do look for it on our YouTube channel!

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Expanding our reach in print…

You may have noticed that Nuffield Farming now has a regular section in Direct Driller magazine, a free publication that focuses on arable topics like IPM, soil health and regenerative farming. Scholars regularly contribute editorial to Direct Driller, but this space is focused purely on Nuffield and Scholar reports!

So far, we have seen articles from Mark Dewes NSch 2018, who discussed the reduction of pesticide use, and Camilla Hayselden-Ashby NSch 2021, who previewed her study on growing and building industry around hemp.

If you would like to contribute a piece of your own in Direct Driller, please contact kendra@ reverberate-pr.co.uk for further details! ….and our presence online.

Growing Nuffield Farming’s social media presence has been a focus of communications over the past few years. Our followings across all channels have steadily grown, and in February we reached a big milestone by earning our 10,000th follower on Twitter!

In May 2021, Nuffield Farming Scholarships took a central role in the promotion and organisation of the inaugural Agrileadership Week, a social media awareness campaign promoting the importance of leadership training in UK agriculture. This effort was done in partnership with AHDB, Worshipful Company of Farmers, IAgrM and the Farmers Club Charitable Trust. With the help of industry influencers (many of them Scholars) also sharing information on their own channels, the campaign earned tremendous organic (non-paid) reach – our tweets that week alone were seen over 107,900 times! We look forward to #AgrileadershipWeek 2022…

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

@NUFFIELDFARMING

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GROUP REPORTS

POULTRY GROUP

Over the last 12 months, the Nuffield Poultry Group have had a comparatively quiet year for obvious reasons.

However, we did meet via Zoom for our 40th AGM on 23rd May 2021 when Hannah Eastaugh and James Smaldon were congratulated on their presentations at the virtual mini winter conference.

We were so impressed, we held our own mini conference giving the group an opportunity to question Hannah and James in more detail.

The Chairman congratulated both scholars on their depth of knowledge and their adaption to Covid.

Adrian Marshall, our new scholar, was welcomed to the group. We look forward to reading his report on “Can welfare expectations of consumers be met by the UK commercial egg sector in the short and long term?” as soon as CV-19 travel restrictions allow him to complete his travels and finish his report.

Nick Chippindale and Sophie Edenborough retired as Chairman and Secretary respectively after serving their 3 year terms and were both warmly thanked for the professionalism and excellent stewardship in unique times.

The Vice Chairman Mike Tyers was voted in as Chairman and Karen Simpson as Vice Chair.

Simon Carlton took on the Secretary role and Claire Bragg continues as our exemplary Treasurer.

The annual Farmer’s Club dinner was cancelled but the group hosted a virtual get together, for which the Chairman thanked Mark Williams for his excellent industry

28

update and for facilitating a question and answer session.

The group also hosted a Nuffield Webinar for which Mike Tyers gave a great presentation on “Preparing and Adapting for Success in a rapidly changing world’ (A Poultry Industry Perspective”).

Both the Poultry Group 2021 Spring weekend and the Autumn tour had to be cancelled but on September 11th, courtesy of the ever generous Andrew Hignett, a Social get together was held at his house in Earlswood with 30 attendees. It was the first face to face meeting since the study tour held in New Zealand just prior to the cancelled Triennial in March 2020 and we were blessed with great food, company and weather.

Those who can attend the up coming winter conference are planning to book a table(s) at the Thursday 25th November dinner.

Simon Carlton

PIG GROUP

GROUP REPORTS

The UK pig industry has been in the media a lot the week that I write this, with NSch Kate Moore and sister Vicky being interviewed on the national news.

The Prime Minister belittled the huge pressure the industry is under with a throwaway comment about bacon sandwiches, and thankfully some of the news channels, newspapers and media streams have picked up on this and are now highlighting our plight. There are not going to be any easy, overnight, fixes to the staffing shortages that the processors are currently experiencing so we are a long way from being out of the woods. It is very much going to be a struggle for the whole industry for several months to come and I would hope that if in need our members know that the Nuffield community will help where they can.

Again, this year we haven’t had an overly full social calendar, I would hope that in 2022 we can rectify this. That said, at the start of the year we did have a virtual tour of the Topigs Norsvin genetic nucleus and CT scanning unit in Manitoba, Canada. Mike Shaw very kindly

hosted us, starting with a presentation, and then taking us on a virtual tour of the pig unit itself answering our questions as he went.

The meeting was very well attended, and we had some great engagement, however, it certainly is no replacement for getting together in person. As mentioned in my last update I have several ideas for future meetings, but with businesses still limiting visitors due to covid, I have not been able to get anything firmed up.

If any of our members have any suggestions for future meetings, or indeed would be willing to host – please do get in touch. Equally, as I am sure you already are doing, please do encourage potential pig scholars to apply, again we have a year of new scholars and an industry that is woefully underrepresented.

Caroline Mitchell

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GROUP REPORTS

WELSH REGION

Much like the other regional groups, Nuffield Cymru have not been able to meet in person this year however the group saw this as an opportunity to try something new for their annual AGM & Farm walk.

Instead of the traditional meet up at a Welsh Farm the group instead enlisted the help of 2017 Australian Scholar Claire Booth who offered an insight into her and husband Brendans’ farm enterprise in Dubbo (New South Wales). Through a combination of video clip farm walks and a live presentation and Q&A session, Claire explained how as first generation farmers they produce high quality commercial and seed crops on 3000 acres across two properties in Geurie and Goolma, and two leased properties in Wellington and Gulgong. They also breed Angus cattle and trade cattle dependent on market conditions to mitigate the risks associated with cropping. Claire, a qualified

30

solicitor, is responsible for strategic planning, human resources and business expansion.

The group were privileged to hear Claire’s open and frank discussions about the importance of benchmarking, looking after farm staff and the challenges of being first generation farmers working in sometimes challenging environmental conditions. There was a lively Q&A session at the end and all who attended felt they had had an insight into a very different farming industry to the one they were used to, whilst at the same time understanding that there are many challenges common to farmers across the world. Nuffield Cymru would like to thank Claire Booth for all the work she put into making the session happen. www.instagram.com/boothagriculture Other news: Nuffield Cymru would like to wish Morgan Tudor (son of the late Richard Tudor NSch) ‘pob lwc’ good luck as a Countryfile Young Countryside Champion finalist 2021.

The 2022 Nuffield Annual Conference will be held in Cardiff next year, for more details on sponsorship opportunities please contact aled@aledrhysjones.com Sarah Hughes

NORTHERN REGION

GROUP REPORTS

In July this year we planned a drinks reception at the Great Yorkshire Show. Having missed a year in 2020 everyone was delighted to get together again and the reception saw a good attendance from Future Farmers; alumni and potential scholars.

The reception was kindly hosted by the CLA and a special thank you goes to Dorothy Fairburn 1993 NSch for all she has done for Nuffield Farming including her support during this and previous Great Yorkshire Shows.

Many thanks to all who helped make this event possible: Jo Speed 2008 NSch, Sarah Pick 2019 NSch and Alastair Trickett 2020 NSch along with Future Farmers of Yorkshire, The CLA , Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Evolution Farming Ltd and Lindum Turf who kindly sponsored the event. Sarah and Alastair spoke about their Nuffield and GFP experiences and it was a great networking opportunity.

Plans are in place for a Spring meeting in conjunction with Future Farmers and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Jo Speed

ANGLIAN REGION Scholars in the Anglian Region has been involved in a number of activities over the past twelve months, despite the restrictions we’ve all faced during that period.

In early March we had a very successful ‘Meet The Scholars’ zoom call where a mixture of potential applicants, new scholars and some ‘old hands’ got together to discuss what being a Nuffield Scholar entailed. There were several classic tales of the adventures and scrapes scholars managed to get themselves into (and, usually, out of again!) whilst travelling through foreign and unfamiliar countries. There was also an inspirational discussion about the ongoing positive impact of being a Scholar and I hope all those who attended enjoyed it as much as I did.

In June, we once again provided several scholars from the region to occupy the stand at the Cereals event. Although the show itself was quieter than in previous years, we still had a number of potential applicants come onto the stand to enquire about scholarships.

Thank you to all who helped out there.

Later today (as I type) we are carrying out mock interviews for the four candidates from the Anglian Region who have been selected for interview. I’m delighted to welcome Teresa Meadows, 2020 Nuffield Scholar onto the

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GROUP REPORTS interview team alongside Matt Swain, Andrew Scoley and myself. Teresa will bring up-todate knowledge of the interview style, having recently been through the process herself and we trust that the interviewees will find the whole process beneficial. We wish them well with the real thing!

Finally, I must say thank you to Matt Swain who, once again, has done much of the legwork: Networking, emailing, phoning, zooming(?), and chivvying, he’s the engine behind the scenes and his labours are much appreciated.

Tom Chapman

As always, may I remind everyone that if you do spot someone who you think would benefit from a scholarship, do encourage them to apply. We can provide support and guidance too, alongside that offered by Mike, Charlotte and the head office team.

CENTRAL REGION It will be no surprise to anyone reading this when I report that 2021 didn’t go entirely as planned!

Building on the foundations and hard work of the ‘Herefordshire Wing’ of the region we once again held our traditional Winter meeting where we were fortunate to host an excellent presentation and Q&A with Nuffield’s very own MP Robbie Moore. One of the benefits of Zoom calls was that we were able to open the invitation across the Nuffield family and we were very pleased to welcome a number of Scholars from across the country to enjoy the event. Robbie offered a tremendous insight into his life as an MP and was able to add a bit of behind the scenes context to the issues of the day.

I would like to take the opportunity to once again thank Robbie for taking the time out to speak us and wish him the very best of luck in ‘Leading Positive Change in Agriculture’ in the corridors of power.

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Regrettably we were unable to host our customary Farm Walk but hope that normal service will be resumed next year.

The Region however has not been idle and it is our great pleasure to invite as many of you as are able to attend to the Annual Conference in late November at Whittlebury Park Hotel.

Patrick Hook, Joe Bailey and I, in conjunction with the support of the Nuffield Office, are really excited that we have put together a Conference that will as always challenge, engage and inspire you and also allow you plenty of time to catch up with old friends and Scholars face to face – at last!

Oliver Surman

GROUP REPORTS

HORTICULTURE GROUP

Two events have been organised during the last year and both were held on Zoom.

I felt that, whilst we could not meet in person, it was important to try to maintain some sort of contact between horticulture scholars.

Seth Pascoe gave an excellent presentation on February 22nd about growing sea buckthorn in Cornwall. His presentation was enhanced by a recently broadcast TV clip when Rick Stein visited him in his buckthorn plantation.

Seth updated us on his efforts to grow and develop this niche crop and showed the potential for this exceptionally healthy berry.

The berries or juice are marketed as Cornish Seaberries www.cornishseaberry.co.uk.

He explained just how he first became interested in growing sea buckthorn [Hippophae rhamnoides]. When suffering from altitude sickness when trekking in the Himalayas he was offered some as a drink and quickly recovered.

Seaberries grow well near the coast but harvesting the berries from a very prickly bush still remains a major challenge!

The second Zoom presentation was given by Sarah Calcutt on May 24th.

Sarah is a leading light in the fruit industry and among the many achievements she has to her credit she is the founding partner of Partners in Produce [PIP]. Sarah is a sixth generation fruit grower and heavily involved in fruit marketing and fruit promotion. She chairs the National Fruit Show and, if you’ll forgive the pun, has a finger in many a fruit pie!

Sarah explained to us how she felt fruit growing and marketing could be enhanced and how management standards needed to be improved.

Unfortunately few horticulture scholars attended these events and so I decided to not continue with them for the time being.

Nevertheless I am pleased to report that Nuffield Farm Visit Films of Tregothnan Cornish tea production has been recorded and can now be seen by all.

Alan Down

DAIRY GROUP This year’s Nuffield Dairy tour was hastily arranged by Andrew Mycock, Neil Howie and Tony Evans for the 28-30th of June once we had more certainty on Covid restrictions. Twenty five of us met up on the Sunday evening at Wychwood Park Hotel near Crewe, Cheshire for our 3 night stay.

Our first visit was to Nuffield Scholar Ed Dale who gave us a tour of his 3 home dairy units and newly established milk vending machine which had proved very popular. Over lunch Ed and his team gave us a great insight into how they manage their 7 dairy units with 3000 milk cows, with the furthest unit being in Scotland.

Our afternoon visit was close by to the home farm of George Marrow and three of his sons, Andy, Dave and James. They had developed a robust spring block calving system that had enabled them to expand their business.

A rented youngstock unit had been secured on a longer tenancy allowing them to start a 350 cow herd on this unit and take on

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GROUP REPORTS

extra neighbouring land. Last year they also bought a 300 acre farm and have started a 300 cow flying herd on this unit. Considering the oldest son Andy is only 31 they had made remarkable progress in a relatively short space of time.

very interesting talk on how he had joined the company and finally become its major shareholder. He had developed lots of brands but owned no physical processing capacity, preferring to sub-contract this part of the business out to third parties.

Our Monday evening speaker was Chris Gooderham, Head of Market specialists-Dairy and Livestock at AHDB.

Our final day began with a visit to Nuffield Scholar Roly Tavernor to see his 600 cow spring block calving unit. We were particularly interested in how his experiment with sexed semen had gone in his tight block calving situation. It had shown that with careful dam selection and top notch operating procedures conception rates with sexed semen were very close to conventional arrangements.

Tuesday Morning took us to Cogent Breeding’s Bull stud near Chester. This was originally set up and developed by the Duke of Westminster but is now owned by ST Technology who are the World leaders in sexed semen technology. We saw a parade of some of the Bulls in the stud where 200 Bulls are kept at any one time. The group were also shown the sexed sorting machines in operation. Sexed dairy semen was proving to be very popular with 97% of dairy semen sold having been sexed.

In the afternoon we visited the nearby Grosvenor Farms Lea Manor dairy unit that was a greenfield construction in 2014 to replace 4 existing dairies. We were shown around by MD Mark Roach, Dairy Manager David Craven and Arable manager and recent Nuffield Scholar Charlie Steer. This unit now milks 2600 cows three times a day in one large rotary parlour with average annual yields of 12,500 litres per cow. All machinery operations on the 2200 Ha estate are carried out in house by 55 staff.

Our Tuesday evening speaker was Ed Salt, owner of Delamere Dairy who gave us a

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Our final visit was to Cholmondeley Castle where we had lunch at the visitor cafe before viewing one of the two herds on the estate managed by Nuffield Scholar Tom Rawson and Charlie Crotty’s Evolution Farming business.

Tom then gave us an overview of Evolution Farming’s work that they undertake for the Cholmondeley family at their other estate, Houghton Hall in Norfolk and the overall Evolution business that now runs 8 dairy units with a total of 2,900 cows.

Next year we are planning to take the dairy tour to Holland, probably in June assuming that travel restrictions are not too onerous.

Particular focus will include nutrient management, permitting and emissions management and catching up with some Dutch Nuffield Dairy Scholars.

Andrew Mycock

GROUP REPORTS

REGEN GROUP

A few months ago, we were delighted to announce the new Nuffield Regenerative Agriculture Group. This was kindly signed off by the Trustees and also incorporates, with the permission of the Chairs of each, two existing study groups - the Soils and the Organic study groups.

The aims of the Regen Ag group, initially at least, is to facilitate knowledge transfer and to explore ways to monetise our ‘natural capital’. We intend to meet by Zoom three times a year and have a fourth, face-to-face meeting at the Groundswell event (an annual event held in Hertfordshire in June). At this stage we are not planning to organise field trips or other visits, though never say never!

We held our Inaugural (zoom) meeting of the Nuffield Regen Ag Group on Wednesday 13th October, which was a great success. As we

will all be aware, ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ is the fashionable phrase at the moment and we felt it was important that Nuffield was seen to be taking a lead in this exciting sector.

We are fortunate to have many scholars, already signed up to the group, who are at the vanguard of the movement.

Any scholars currently involved in Regen Ag, or who have an interest in this area are very welcome to join and can do so by contacting either Matt or me.

Tom Chapman

BECKETT SCHOLAR GROUP As entrepreneurs and innovators within the UK wider agricultural industry the Beckett Group members have been greatly affected by the covid pandemic.

Some businesses have collapsed while others have thrived and multiplied; but all have met the challenges posed and “come good” – whatever it took. Group members have continued to practice knowledge transfer between themselves, on subjects as diverse as pumpkins, sunflowers, mazes and milk vending for example. Their disparate backgrounds provide a wealth of experience in introducing new lines and trading direct with a public whose priorities are constantly changing.

Sadly one casualty of the pandemic is that the Group has not had its annual get together in the past 12 months. It is something we all greatly look forward to as soon as the situation is a bit more settled – not least to meet our 2021 Scholar, Emily McVeigh.

Emily, very much a hands-on operator with her own diversified projects within her family’s Suffolk farm – including a wedding venue, glamping site and cookery school – wishes to “Assess how farms can benefit from future trends in the drinks industry”. Her visits have so far of necessity been confined within the UK and there is a lot to research and study within the kingdom. She will be travelling overseas as soon as this becomes practicable.

In the meanwhile, the Group hopes that a new entrepreneurial Scholar will be identified and awarded during the October interviews.

Jamie McCoy

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ARABLE GROUP

GROUP REPORTS

The Nuffield Arable Group’s visit took place in June with 27 attending on the day (the maximum allowed) and it was fully booked weeks before. We had a great day, expertly organised by arable group chairman Guy Smith NSch. School’s farms with arable, beef and a very successful farm shop. Photo is of David Exwood talking about his wheat growing regime.

A memorable day, in particular for the entirely different approach taken to similar land in the same location. Food for thought for everyone in changing times.

The morning was spent at the well-known rewilding estate Knepp Castle with owner Sir Charles Burrell and much was learnt about the Estate, its concepts and its future developments.

In contrast, the afternoon was spent visiting David Exwood’s Weston Farms next door.

David is the tenant of Christs Hospital

Arable Scholars also attended the 2021 Cereals event. Thank you to Andrew Scoley and Tom Chapman for helping organise the stand and all the Nuffield Scholars that volunteered on the Nuffield Farming stand during the event. Quite a number were at the show who came to have a chat and man the stand. Also, it was refreshing to talk to people face to face!

Andrew Scoley

Nuffield Scholars David Miller, Ranald Angus, Guy Smith, David Walston and Andrew Scoley caught on camera

by Lucy Maclennan at the Cereals Event

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GROUP REPORTS

BUSINESS GROUP

The two groups met in June, one hosted by Tim May and the other by Neil Rowe both proving excellent venues and gracious hosts.

All attendees at this study group present an objective look- back of how their year went, the themes being ‘lessons and questions’; what were the lessons from the year (irrespective of the outcome) and what are the questions for the group. The output is a mix of commercial wisdom and moments for reflection. As ‘growth’ is a key objective, the group doesn’t shy from difficult questions; not a place for the fainthearted.

Both Tim and Neil have strong compasses, Tim’s focus is on building a world class business and Neil’s on building a world class community.

These two aims encapsulate the Nuffield ideal for the sustainability as both relies on the other and I think all participants departed with heightened state of heart and mind. Just like the scholarships profile, there are those in the business group just starting out and those wellon their way but it’s the distance travelled in the year that’s of interest. Thanks again to all who journeyed the length and breadth of the country to be with us and hope they found it inspiring enough to attend next year.

Matt Swain

WEST MIDLANDS REGION I’m very energized and proud to be taking over the West Midland group, and hope, in due course to push the region forward over the next couple of years.

Although I do realise that I have a tough challenge to follow the work of Julie Mate. Julie has been the chair of this region for a number of years and has done an excellent job. I would like to thank her for her efforts and no doubt I will be leaning on her expertise and experience for a while yet.

Understandably things have been rather quiet over the last year and a half with plans and events cancelled, however I certainly hope that this will change over the next year and slowly get back to what might be described as normal, with a Farm visit and a number of events

designed to be interesting to scholars as well as an opportunity to promote Nuffield and to recruit. I feel that the West Midlands Branch is under represented in terms of scholars and I would like to see us greatly increase the number of applicants and hopefully scholars from this region. I’m sure many reading this would agree that Nuffield offers a wonderful opportunity and I feel it is part of my job to tell anyone who will listen to apply and try to take advantage of what Nuffield can offer.

Rob Burtonshaw

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SCOTTISH REGION

GROUP REPORTS

2020 certainly was a year like no other – a year when staying at home would save lives!

However, as we entered into 2021 it was clear that the challenges of COVID-19, Brexit and of course the good old British weather weren’t going anywhere anytime soon. But it is amazing to reflect that 8 months into 2021, a huge proportion of the country is now vaccinated, and with things starting to ease, we enter a new era of normality.

Despite the unprecedented challenges of last year, 2020 ended on a high for the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group with fantastic presentations from the 2019 returning scholars, including Claire Hodge, Penny Montgomery and Richard Walker, and a truly inspiring presentation from 2019 Steven and Gillian Bullock Award winner, Jim Shanks. I was also fortunate and truly honoured to be selected as the recipient of the HSBC Silver Salver award. In addition, we also welcomed 2021 scholars, John Gray and Ranald Angus, into the Nuffield Scotland family.

The 2020 NFST AGM also marked the end of Jim Shanks tenure as Chair of the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group, and on behalf of the entire group, I would like to extend my thanks and massive appreciation to Jim for his dedication over the last few years. It was an honour to work alongside Jim as Secretary and he has left very big boots to fill!

With the dawn of 2021, I was honoured to pick up the baton of Chair of the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group for a 2-year tenure.

As I eased into the role it was an opportunity

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to establish a new leadership structure and I was delighted to be joined by Neil McGowan and Jamie McIntosh in their new roles as ViceChair and Secretary, respectively.

Right off the back of our appointments we went straight into planning the Nuffield Scotland AGM. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we weren’t able to do our usual weekend getaway however a virtual offering meant that we had the opportunity to invite a guest speaker from further afield. With robotics, AI and data hot on everyone’s lips right now, we were extremely fortunate to secure Ben Scott-Robinson, CEO and coFounder of Small Robot Company. Ben spoke to the group about understanding weed distribution and densities when designing per plant weed control systems which led to lots of discussion and debate. We also had an excellent presentation from Claire Hodge on her GFP travels, and the evening was complete by an at home gin tasting with the amazing Kim Cameron from Gin Bothy.

The new year also brought the opening of the 2021/2 NFST applications. Nuffield Scotland

GROUP REPORTS

hosted monthly 1-2-1 drop-in and coaching session for potential scholars, which ran from January right through to the closing date in July, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every applicant.

As with many agricultural shows, the Royal Highland Show went virtual for 2021. As such, we organised a number of different pieces of content in order to promote Nuffield Farming Scholarships across Scotland. These included the following videos: •

Introduction to NFST presentation

by Jenna Ross: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=S6FAb9z5OgE

•

GFP presentation by Claire Hodge: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VAkZivWWdZI

•

Montage video from past and present Nuffield Scotland scholars: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=6PnBTU52yOo

In addition, a number of individuals from the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group were involved with the #AgriLeadershipWeek, which was in collaboration with NFST, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Institute for Agricultural Management (IAgrM), Worshipful Company

of Farmers (WCF) and The Farmers Club Charitable Trust (FCCT), in order to highlight leadership training opportunities within the industry.

Last month, the Nuffield Scotland Regional Group also took part in the Nuffield Golf Society trip which was organised by David Rose and ventured north to Scotland.

Jim Shanks hosted the group for a tour of Standhill Farm and received excellent feedback from everyone in attendance!

We are also in the process of planning dissemination activities alongside SRUC which I hope will take place in the autumn.

In addition, we are preparing for next year’s activities and hope to hold our 2022 AGM in person. More information will be available in the coming months.

I would just like to finish by saying a massive thank you to the entire Nuffield Scotland Regional Group for their continued engagement and enthusiasm – it’s been great to see so much activity take place throughout 2021. I would also like to say a special thank you to Neil and Jamie for their continued efforts throughout the year!

Best wishes Jenna Ross

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GOLF SOCIETY

GROUP REPORTS

I have now been a Nuffield Scholar for 20 years, always enjoying meeting up with scholars around the country, continually getting inspired and informed as well as having a wonderful time. I also love the game of golf! Putting the two together is how the Nuffield Golf Society came about.

We started in June, when we met at Steve and Meryl Ward’s Uncle Henry farm shop and cafe, followed by a great game of golf at Elsham in Lincolnshire. Meeting up after such a long time in lockdown and watching England win over Germany at football in the evening made the day very special.

In July we had a wonderful tour of the Scottish Borders climaxed with a very narrow win over a team of farmers from the Roxburgh Kelso area! What a fantastic day, a great golf course, great company whose hospitality was so generous and was very much appreciated!

The tour had started in Denholm Howick at the Cross Keys for lunch and a farm visit to Jim Shanks NSch farm; tomatoes have never tasted so good! The day was made even more special by the scholars who attended - some who hadn’t been to a Nuffield event for some time!

The September visit was to Herefordshire, meeting at Richard and Sarah Burt’s Mynde Park; we were shown around their beautiful estate seeing how they, like many farmers, are

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having to find ways of creating a secondary income. In the evening we were hosted there and joined by a number of local farmers to the most amazing dinner.

The following morning we visited Ben TaylorDavies NSch ReGen farm, which was a tremendous. A story of turning adversity into positivity, I advise everyone to read his book.

We finished with a cracking game of golf at The Rolls of Monmouth - Wow what a great course!

As you will gauge this society is not just about golf, it’s about meeting up with potential, recent and long standing scholars and their partners in a relaxed format.

I would like to thank everyone who hosted, attended and competed in the Nuffield Golf Society events. We will be circulating dates and venues for next year very soon. To register and interest, please email david@farmeco.co.uk David Rose NSch, Golf Society Chair

TOM BRADSHAW NSch 2011

2021 SCHOLARS FINALLY GET TO MEET! Finally, after a year of Covid induced virtual meetings, the Nuffield 2021 Scholars met in person, along with Chris, Mike and Poey for a trip to the Mendips! Jen Hunter NSch and Andy Wear welcomed us at Fernhill farm which provided the perfect accommodation for our group and served as a base for our agricultural exploration of the region.

First up was a visit to Thatchers Cider which began with an inspiring talk from Martin Thatcher outlining the company’s story past to present. After seeing cider making in action and mesmerising robotic bottling systems, it was time for tasting- a crucial part of understanding the business! Cider skilled honed, the group travelled to Alvis brothers farm to be hosted by Jonny and family. A diverse business that is consistently striving to be future focused, the group watched milking in action in the rotary milking parlor and debated future intake into the industry.

Our evening activity delved into the world of agricultural commodities with Ian Tremain which included an excellent trading game - do contact Ian for a set of playing cards if you want to find out more (an excellent Christmas present!).

The final morning gave an opportunity to get to know our hosts better with a tour of Fernhill farm which specialises in producing wool using regenerative agriculture practices.

After watching professionals in action, several of the group successfully volunteered to try hand shearing sheep under supervision from Andy. The wool was then put to good use as the group attempted tuffet weaving overseen

by Fizz, the gorgeous, bearded collie. As Jen remarked “it’s amazing how you can give people the same tools and materials and have such a range of outputs!”.

Thanks to all for a fantastic few days with Nuffield Scholars past and present, looking forward to seeing what comes next for the 2021 group!

Aisla Jones

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INTRODUCING: IN THEIR OWN WORDS NUFFIELD FARMING JOURNEYS Our usual schedule would have 2020 Scholars presenting their findings at the Annual Conference this year. However, travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have prevented them from completing their studies in time, or indeed writing their reports. This left us with no Executive Summaries for this Annual Report! Instead we have asked some past Nuffield Scholars to share the story of their own Nuffield journeys.

What follows is a collection of varied, interesting and, at times, humorous articles explaining the Scholars’ stories and successes - told in their own words.

Each article will give you an idea of where that Scholar was in their life before their Nuffield Scholarship, the impact their Scholarship journey had on them and their successes and wider achievements since completion.

You will find each article is written in the style of that particular Scholar, including their own personal opinions and thoughts of their Nuffield Farming journey.

While these articles are quite unique to one another, they hold common themes of challenging initial study pre-conceptions, increased confidence, finding a network of worldwide Nuffield Scholars and the courage to make changes.

You will note that these articles are interspersed by promotion of our loyal Scholar Sponsors who have supported them and many others over the years.

We hope you enjoy them Mike Vacher

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APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY TO MILK PRODUCTION WYNNE JONES 1983 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR

I was awarded a Nuffield scholarship sponsored by the Trehane Trust in 1983. At the time I was Head of the Animal Production department at the Welsh Agricultural College in Aberystwyth. I chose to visit the USA as I wished to acquaint myself with the Land Grant Universities’ network where research, education and extension co- existed within the one organisation. I later added a few days to visit Canada as milk quotas had been introduced to Europe and I wished to witness their operation in another country.

Importantly I wished to avail myself of an opportunity away from the day job to think through my own career aspirations. I regarded this element as the proverbial “biblical forty days in the wilderness” and was on reflection an important, enduring strand to my tour.

The 1983 group was the first to visit Brussels as part of the initial briefing - now called the Pre CSC. This was an excellent innovation by the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust (NFST).

We bonded well and continue to challenge and support each other, hence the self-anointed appellation “Dream Team”.

I realised that I needed to be better informed of context, be less operational and more strategic in my thinking and general approach to issues if I was to make a meaningful contribution to the industry. For this reason, I had included four days of intensive briefing by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington at the start of my tour.

I travelled extensively and did not meet up with any Nuffield scholars on tour, but, what is worthy of note is that the name ‘Trehane’ opened as many doors as ‘Nuffield’. ‘Who knows you’ and not ‘who you know’ was my obvious conclusion.

I saw and experienced many things, too numerous to mention here, including the way the American dairy industry had an organisation dedicated to

political lobbying and responding immediately to any criticism in their press, also one that took me aback, was the number of derelict farms in upper New York State. No young people to buy out a retiring couple. Close the gate and leave!

A Nuffield scholarship is very much an individual opportunity for personal development, and I returned from my tour with a much more positive attitude and ambition to fulfil my personal role for whichever organisation employed me. Above all I felt that education on a lifetime basis was the way to achieve a common goal of success and prosperity for our industry. This does not belittle so many things that I saw and experienced but in the final analysis it is people not processes or policies that make things happen.

I completed and circulated the report and was pleased to receive many invitations to speak of my experiences. This could be regarded as the end of Part One as a ‘Nuffield Scholar’ and the commencement of Part Two as a ‘Nuffield graduate’.

NUFFIELD GRADUATE The annual Nuffield conference and the Trehane Trusts annual dairy industry dinner was an excellent and immediate vehicle for me to

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refresh and maintain the positive momentum to my ambition on return. This regular exposure to the industry leaders and opinion formers of the time was critical to my own industry understanding, development and career progression. The study and regional groups are also excellent value for the same purpose.

In 1988 I was appointed as Vice Principal with responsibility for education and research at Harper Adams. In 1996 I was promoted to Principal. This coincided with a period of growth and changes in UK higher education. Harper Adams was transforming from an agricultural college to a university and managing and leading this change was a challenge I relished and made full use of the many Nuffield experiences and contacts. Linking research, education and strong linkages to industry was and still is a central core of the culture and mission at Harper Adams.

I was founder secretary to the West Midland Nuffield group. Harper Adams was asked to host a programme of visits etc.to a number of the international groups of Nuffield scholars. I am bound to confess that this was my first real contact with the international dimension of Nuffield. I regret this delay, in hindsight, but have attempted to make good by regular attendance at the international Triennial Conference as well as much communication in between.

Meeting with so many successful and influential people within Nuffield, both home and abroad, and their willingness to share very confidential financial and family plans is a humbling experience but also an honour which I cherish.

I also took the opportunity of accompanying a number of these international groups to Brussels and became aware that the questioning and debate was different. Given this point, and my own late introduction to Nuffield International, I felt it important for UK scholars to meet their international counterparts as soon as possible in their tour. At the turn of the century, I was

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honoured to be elected Vice and then Chair of NFST. During this time, we revisited corporate governance etc. In addition, our International Chairs were also promulgating changes. This was in opportunity to develop what proved to be the excellent concept of the Contemporary Scholars’ Conference (CSC) as all newly appointed scholars come together at the outset of their Nuffield journey. As Chair of UK NFST at the time I felt that the support for every one of our scholars to undertake the Global Focus Programme was not apparent, preferring that it became an optional additional experience.

I do have a concern that some Scholars appear to take short hops to many different countries, and we need to guard against seeing everything and experiencing nothing. The international scholars take more time away from their business and as such they have to learn to delegate and develop time management skills. It does concern me that a number of individuals I approach to consider applying for Nuffield suggest a time constraint.

Busy and ambitious individuals will make the time.

I have been fortunate in having the opportunity to contribute something back to Nuffield as Chair of NFST and Chair of the Trehane Trust. I have also had the pleasure of being President of Future Farmers of Wales. As a past chair of the Strategy Board of Farming Connect and particularly, via their very innovative Agri Academy, which is a rich vein of future scholars, I have been applying experiences gained from being a Nuffield Scholar. Being invited by the late Prof. John Alliston to co-direct the Institute of Agricultural Management leadership development programme was an honour and brought me into contact with a number of Scholars on their continuing professional development.

I have not mentioned many names, but there are so many of you associated with Nuffield and the Trehane Trust to whom I owe a generous and well-meant thank you.

Dairy Industry Awards An opportunity to develop your knowledge of the dairy industry, generate new ideas and share your findings.

The Trehane Trust offers annual awards, through participation in the Nuffield Farming Scholarship programme, to individuals who want to study and research a particular aspect of the dairy industry.

The remit is broad. Applicants are invited to study areas from milk production to processing and product development. It covers all related areas such as health and environmental concerns, consumer trends and marketing, and policies affecting the dairy chain.

More than 80 Scholars have benefited from Trehane scholarships. Their studies, which have been of great benefit to the individual and to the industry, have taken them across the world to North and South America, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Scandinavia.

Each Trehane Scholar is provided with travel and subsistence costs for eight weeks – undertaken in one block or as smaller blocks.

The closing date for applications is 31 July each year.

Successful candidates will normally be aged between 24 and 45 and living in the UK. More information on the Trehane awards is available from Diana Allen, Trust Chair on 07971 119128 or diana@qnm.ltd.uk Previous reports and application forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield website www.nuffieldscholar.org or by contacting Mike Vacher, Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, 01460 234012 or by email: director@nuffieldscholar.org.

Trehane Trust Advert 2013.indd 1

24/08/2012 12:30

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MEAT MARKETING; EMPHASIS ON THE RED MEAT SECTOR - USA, EUROPE S I M O N W E AV E R 1 9 9 6 N U F F I E L D S C H O L A R Simon Weaver (R) and Andrew Hunter (L) at their 1200 head dairy unit in Hungary.

Here I am in France, we have stopped on-route at a small B&B and in the morning we have investigated next door, as we heard sheep in the night, so we introduced ourselves to the farmer and his wife, had a tour of their goat milking enterprise and seen their sheep flock. We have also blagged our way into a trout farm next to the sheep farm. On the one hand I am just a nosey farmer, on the other hand my Nuffield Scholarship, all those years ago, has given me a desire to satisfy my curiosity, understand how agriculture and business works throughout the world and make contacts wherever I can.

All those years ago I travelled to North America and studied the marketing of beef. I remain fascinated by the subject and if you ask, I doubt I have contributed a huge amount to change the industry, although, I do think there are aspects of our industry that are beginning to shine.

However, perhaps the real impact has been on the way I think and the bit of influence I can make to farming and to farming’s wider community.

Like many before me, on completing my Nuffield there was a frustration in coming home, 2 months of travelling delivers, practically every day, a meeting with achievers and extraordinary people who shine in their environment. There is a self-expectation that some around you should do the same, there are risks to be taken, opinions given, influences made. I suspect with the gift of hindsight this is the real challenge of Nuffield.

Shortly after completing my scholarship, I was very fortunate to establish a business in Eastern Europe with my fellow Scholar Andrew Hunter and to be joined by 2 more Scholars Chris Combes and Nick Tapp. We now have a board of 5 including 4 Scholars, surely some sort of record, and 25 years on have farmed in Hungary, Serbia and the Ukraine with a loyal band of shareholders.

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I suspect no one reading this will be surprised how Scholars pop up. I have chaired grain co-ops, been a board member of First Milk and currently sit as a non-exec on the board of OMSCO, I have served on committees and attended random meetings, everywhere there are Nuffield Scholars!

I am proud to be part of that group of people.

I never fail to be amazed by their depth of knowledge, their challenging disposition and outlook on life. One of my proudest moments was attending an overnight session with a junior Agricultural Minister with a group of 15 people none of whom were acquainted. By about 2.00am there were 4 of us left with the Minister who said how strange it was that the last people to leave a room, in his experience, were Nuffield Scholars, of course all 4 of us were Scholars!

I am equally proud now to serve as Chairman of CRFT, a charity which has funded 11 Nuffield Scholars so far and hopes to add to that cohort every year. We have a great opportunity to introduce our Scholars to influencers in our operating region through our annual dinner and conference. It’s wonderful to see some parochial thinking challenged by people who have grasped the opportunity to travel and study and our invitees leave with mindsets breached and an understanding that there is a world out there!

That alone should be enough to say thank you Nuffield!

CRFT CENTRAL REGION FARMERS TRUST Charity number 107943

THE TRUSTEES ARE PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIP TRUST THE TRUST HAS SUPPORTED THIRTEEN SCHOLARS RECENTLY FROM ITS REGION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE, WILTSHIRE, BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE SECRETARY JANE CURRILL TEL: 07778 640537 E-MAIL: janecurrill160@btinternet.com

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SOFT FRUIT MARKETING CHINA, USA, EUROPE NIC SNELL 1998 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR

I was in my early 30’s when I decided to apply for my Nuffield Scholarship. Being one of four boys on a small family farm, it was always going to be a challenge if my father was to get us all into farming. With my eldest brother, we took on a nearby small pick your own farm and started by focusing on growing raspberries for Marks and Spencer, both fresh and frozen. As part of a small grower’s group, there was an opportunity to run the group and move away from the growing side. Running and building up our small cooperative provided me with invaluable experience into running a business, from accounts, to growers, multiple retailers and quality control systems.

Having run Hereford Soft Fruit for nearly ten

Tree Marketing. Between us, we set up a new

years, we merged with a larger organisation

business to process and market poplar trees into

in Kent called Kentish Garden where I became

veneers and plywood, but also took on the small

their Market Development Executive. It was at

firewood business that was running parallel.

this point that I felt I could benefit hugely from a scholarship on Soft Fruit Marketing. At the age of 34, having been married for seven years and with two very young children I was awarded my scholarship in 1998. With support from my employer, I travelled to both south and north America, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Holland over eight weeks, albeit split into two trips.

I am sure I won’t be the only one to have changed direction since my trip, but perhaps unusually it wasn’t because of my Nuffield that I altered course, it was purely circumstantial. However, as is often the case, I would like to think that it was because I had the Nuffield confidence, that I decided at the age of forty to follow my instincts and seize opportunities.

I went into business with my brother George, a fellow Nuffield scholar to help him bring to fruition the results of his Nuffield on Poplar

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To cut a long story short, the poplar enterprise never materialised but the firewood did. Our joint business, Certainly Wood is now the largest specialist firewood producer in the UK producing 20,000 tonnes of kiln dried firewood, kindling and Flamers natural firelighters.

Since my scholarship journey over twenty years ago I have become very involved within the stove industry and sit on the executive committee of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA). Whilst taking a break from regular Nuffield events for a short while, I decided it was time to give back to Nuffield. I joined the Nuffield mentoring scheme and now enjoy mentoring new scholars, but more recently became a Nuffield Trustee where I chair the Communications Committee. I also attend one of the Nuffield Business Groups which provides closer networking opportunities and never ending inspiration from others.

THE IMPERATIVE OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN FARMING M AT T S WA I N 2 0 0 2 N U F F I E L D S C H O L A R

Like a Hobbit in the Shires, I had little knowledge of the exterior world. Not just geographically but the way in which other people saw that world. My mum would use the word ‘funny’ to describe anyone outside a narrow set of parameters, an attitude I’d absorbed. Unconsciously or not, this was reinforced by reading only carefully selected articles and befriending only likeminded souls.

And then one of those souls completed a Nuffield scholarship.

In three short months his change was quite something and what was more, he had grown.

I found this unsettling for two reasons. Firstly, his experience had led him to form different opinions that challenged mine and secondly, I’d assumed we only grew from the acquisition of more knowledge; through ‘armouring up’ as it were. I didn’t realise one’s confidence could grow through accepting the possibility of error.

Anyway, my friend went onto become deputy president of the NFU and I… I decided to apply for a scholarship.

I picked the study subject of ‘change’ since farmers were accused of being resistant in this area. I thought it would be easy enough to identify why we change, why we don’t and how we can affect change. Of course, things didn’t go to plan. I was more confused at the end than when I I’d started and thank God my Nuffield report is no longer available. Quoting everyone from Nietzsche to Harry Potter it would be easy for the reader to assume I was on-something.

In a way the reader would be right. The box inside which I did my thinking was, I now understood, of my own making; a realisation that gave me a ‘high’ headier than the strongest of wines.

Because if a key barrier to change is ourselves then the more pertinent question becomes one of motivation - what is our motive for action and why would two, seeming equal people, achieve so differently?

And so was born the Nuffield business groups where scholars get to model excellence from each other. And while these groups have proved successful for sharing best-practice, an unintended consequence has been the benefit of camaraderie. It only dawned on me later that scholars tend to work at the limits which is a lonely place, especially when it goes wrong. The attendance for these workshops has remained strong despite attendees being stretched and often hearing disquieting truths.

And, if I may be so bold, this multiplicity of views and the tolerance of the counterbelief is something our Trust should champion. Some of my closest Nuffield friends disagree with my thoughts but I know I need to hear their arguments; and they mine. It is an antidote to the algorithms that social media produce, those echo-chambers that can only divide. Nuffield, to me, allows for true diversity, a diversity of ideas.

What then has my ‘adventure out of the Shires’ done for me. Well, I could point to financial freedom or mountains climbed but the greater impact I think will be using what I’ve learned to be an effective community mentor. I work with various voluntary groups and help those without the fortune of a Nuffield experience. Twenty years on I’m still far from knowing all the answers but I do have a pretty good set of questions. So, tell me, what is your motive for action’?

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AgriLeader: take your business to the next level We believe that for the UK agricultural and horticultural sectors to maintain sustained excellence and keep progressing, farmers and growers need to be supported, stimulated and challenged.

AgriLeader provides an opportunity for this to happen, where like-minded farmers and growers can meet, exchange ideas and learn from experts and peers facing similar challenges.

We aim to inspire and challenge thinking around three key themes: Leadership – leading yourself, your team, your business Growth – creating opportunities, building and extending networks Resilience – work-life balance, planning and mental toughness

Find out more about AgriLeader at ahdb.org.uk/agrileader

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The Worshipful Company of Farmers is a modern Livery Company, ranking 80th in precedent and promotes all aspects of farming and associated activities.

On the Educational side, there are 2 flagship courses, which are run annually.

The Advanced Course in Agricultural Business Management and the Challenge of Rural Leadership. We also sponsor a Cranfield M.B.A. and the Cranfield Business Growth Programmes.

Please look on our website for further details, one of our courses may be just what you are looking for. www.farmerslivery.org.uk We annually sponsor a Nuffield Scholar and have very close links with the National Federation of Young Farmers to whom we make several awards. We host agricultural research lectures which are highly regarded by the agricultural industry.

There is a strong charitable base and contribution to many essential agricultural charities. The Livery offer both practical and financial support to Surrey Docks Farm. We are a major contributor to the annual Lord Major’s Show.

We are proud to have active affiliations with the Royal Navy - HMS Defender, R.A.F. Waddington, Middlesex Wing Air Training Corps and The Westminster Dragoons.

All this is combined within the fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, where we enjoy many social events and have the privilege of excellent guest speakers. To name a few, we have our quarterly luncheons, we host an Annual Banquet, the Agricultural Dinner and Lecture and there is The Masters outing each year that takes us to various places in U.K. Should you be interested in finding out more please contact our clerk.

Mr. Graham Bamford. Tel: 020 8326 2945 Email: clerk@farmerslivery.org.uk ‘Inspiring, encouraging and developing excellence in the management & leadership of UK agriculture’

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THE IMPACT OF WATER QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY ON FOOD PRODUCTION LOUISE MANNING 2007 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR

Before my Nuffield Scholarship in 2007, I had been involved in the farming and food industry for twenty years. My husband Rob was awarded a scholarship in 2001 and as a result I had the opportunity to see the personal and business benefits of undertaking a scholarship.

What did my Nuffield Scholarship do for me … that can be captured in three words: confidence, clarity and capability.

Confidence: when you have barely left the UK before, except for a few holidays in Europe or short trips for work, standing alone at the Heathrow departure gate at the start of your personal Nuffield scholarship is a real moment, even if you’re in your 40s. It really makes you think of how you will use the time away from family, friends and work and gain the most benefit from the experience. The majority of my scholarship was spent in the US in Utah, California and Washington DC. I was studying water policy and on the first morning in discussions with lawyers in Utah, I realised I had chosen the wrong topic. The real topic I should have been studying was right before my eyes and I had the confidence to change track and study … “who water belongs to.”

Having the confidence to recognise that you need to be adaptable and change direction and to believe in your ability to do so was a real takeaway for me from this experience.

Clarity: my study took me to universities, farms, trade associations, even meeting the Secretary of State for Agriculture for California, and it was an opportunity to listen to many points of view and then reflect and gain clarity on what the important issues were and what opportunities there were in the UK to manage water more

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effectively. Being able to find clarity in complexity is such an important skill to have.

Capability: it is only when I stood on the University of California campus, in Davis that I recognised building capability in people matters.

The level of learning required to adopt climate smart farming is significant. UC Davis showed to me for the first, but not last time, that if you want to drive change you need to focus on young people. Universities are not the only place where learning occurs, as Nuffield is a testament to, but it is the place where evidence-based learning is championed. Academic curricula must be contemporary supporting the energies and innovative abilities of young people entering the agri-food sector. Capability is essential across our land based sector, with the continual need for upskilling and a need to embrace lifelong learning.

I engaged with education on my return from my Nuffield study, gaining my PhD during the scholarship too. I started as a part-time lecturer then became full time in 2014. Five years later after working at two universities I was appointed as a Professor of Agri-food and Supply Chain Security at the Royal Agricultural University.

I seek to develop passion and potential in all the people I come into contact with to drive capability, confidence and clarity, a lesson learned from my Nuffield Scholarship.

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FARM BUSINESS J O N AT H A N B R U N Y E E 2 0 1 5 N U F F I E L D S C H O L A R

When I applied for my Nuffield Scholarship I was at a crossroads. I had worked in the sector for 20 years, mainly as a farm adviser and environmental consultant, and I was successfully practising what I preached on a National Trust holding in the Cotswolds. But I felt there was more to learn and achieve. How could I build a truly sustainable and regenerative farm business? How could I do more and actually make a difference?

I sought Nuffield support for many reasons.

managers. All my lectures somehow linked

I needed financial help to travel, I needed a

farm business management to natural capital,

programme to give me structure and confidence,

enterprise and regenerative thinking. I hope

I needed a new network to explore. Importantly,

I influenced one or two students along the

my scholarship gave me ‘permission’ to be way

way to farm differently and with nature! I also

from home and to take time out.

volunteered as a Director of the Pasture Fed

Travelling to the USA, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Romania, France and Italy was a wonderful experience but it confirmed some of my biggest

Livestock Association to help grow the pasturefed and agroecological movement. The PFLA goes from strength to strength.

fears. It brought home how unsustainable we

Importantly, Conygree Farm is thriving. We are

are as a society and industry. Everywhere I

more diverse than before with more habitat,

went I witnessed soil degradation, habitat loss,

better soil, new enterprises and a range of

disconnected and broken food systems. But I

people working with us. We are more profitable.

also found pockets of hope and inspiration. I saw

It’s more enjoyable.

small scale agroecological farming in action, large scale regenerative practice and diverse rural enterprise, and I met some amazing leaders and story tellers.

Two years ago I left the RAU to lead the development of FarmED – The Centre for Farm and Food Education. We aim to be at the heart of local, regional and global agroecological

My Nuffield opened my eyes, helped with

transition, working to connect, inspire and

my confidence and gave me a new vision.

educate a diverse audience – from school

The friends I made are lifelong.

children to farmers, to policy makers and

I came home determined to step up and to do more - on the farm and off farm.

I left the world of consultancy and took up a senior teaching post at the Royal Agricultural University working with tomorrow’s land

communities. So far, our impact and reach has been overwhelming and the move to a regenerative future seems possible. It’s an amazing place to work and we are making a difference. My Nuffield journey brought me here.

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Alan & Anne Beckett A WA R D

The Alan and Anne Beckett Award is for an entrepreneur or innovator who is a hands-on operator in the agricultural, horticultural or allied rural industries. It is a privately-funded UK Nuffield Farming Scholarship and has been running since 1996. Today the Beckett Scholars are collectively active in virtually every field in the wider agricultural scene with

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several diversified enterprises thrown in for good measure.

Alan himself was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 1957 and Anne, who is a NFST Reports Editor, was made an Hon. Scholar in 2007.

E: alanne@beckettsfarm.co.uk

SUPPORTING FUTURE LEADERS

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS

RHASS A5 advert.indd 1

Through the provision of grants, awards and bursaries, RHASS is committed to providing opportunities that inspire the next generation in the farming, food & rural sectors. www.rhass.org.uk www.royalhighlandshow.org.uk 10/09/2019 12:01

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THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UK BROILER INDUSTRY PAT R I C K H O O K 2 0 1 5 N U F F I E L D S C H O L A R

I was managing our Hatchery at Cote in Oxfordshire, hatching 2 million chicks a week and recently married when I applied for my Nuffield Scholarship in 2014.

I knew several Nuffield Scholars and really

operations and planning, which includes 3 million

wanted to get the opportunity to gain

breeders a year and 10 million chicks a week and

experience and immerse myself in the poultry

in addition overseeing our external customers.

industry in other Countries, represent myself

My personal success has to be the growth of

outside the family business and gain and share

my family! My son Joseph was born just before

knowledge and experiences. Furthermore the

my last trip to Australia in 2016, and since then

value of meeting people, seeing their farms

Grace and I have welcomed Evie, 4, Robert, 3 and

and businesses first hand, is an invaluable

Dominic 5 months! So my solution to the future

experience. Not having enough time to do

labour problems has been partly resolved!

a Nuffield Scholarship is by far the biggest reason people state to me of why they haven’t applied. Managing the time away is challenging but extremely rewarding and being away from the day to day absolutely adds to the whole experience!

Nuffield really helped develop my confidence and gave me a platform outside the family business to represent the poultry industry. In addition it gave me invaluable first-hand experience of what challenges and opportunities people, farms and industries were experiencing across the world.

several industry committees and groups and bringing first hand experiences from my Nuffield Scholarship to help steer decisions and strategies that will affect our industry in the future.

In 2019 I received the British Poultry Council MidCareer Award for long and excellent service to the industry and recognition of the potential of my future in the industry. We have a successful apprenticeship and placement scheme and work with Agricultural Colleges across the UK to help

The network of people I met will stay

attract, develop and retain the next generation

with me for life and I am still in regular

within the poultry industry. In addition we

contact with the people I have met;

support the Farming Community Network who

whether socially or to get advice to see

are an invaluable life line to our business when

if they are seeing similar issues in the

we need to support members of our team who

market to us.

are in need. I always hope that, by sharing my

I have since become a Production and Sales Director for the family business. Which involves overseeing the rearing, breeder and hatchery

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I have really enjoyed being part of

experiences I will inspire others to apply; the Nuffield Scholarship is definitely a journey that I hope will continue for many years to come.

GETTING STABLE: MAKING UNCERTAIN FARMING FUTURES A THING OF THE PAST RICHARD COUNSELL 2016 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR

My Nuffield adventure began at a slightly disjointed time in my life professionally. My role at a software company in the US was coming to an end and I was unsure about what to do next.

As I was contemplating another year in aeroplane seats that I didn’t quite fit into, I realised I wanted to audition again for a role in farming that would connect me back to a world that I instinctively understood, yet felt increasingly distanced from.

I knew Jen Hunter and Johnny Alvis locally and saw how excited they were to have the opportunity to step back from the day to day aspects of their work and make the most of a precious opportunity to travel, think deeply about a subject and meet like minded people.

The year before my scholarship had seen very volatile milk prices and I realised that ‘Price Risk Management’ was an area that I’d like to know more about. It was clear that if it could be simplified, somehow, it so clearly had the potential to help British family farms, like my own, to manage volatile prices and build a stable income.

After a nervous wait, I was delighted to be awarded a scholarship in 2016 and before we

knew it Nuffield had ear tagged, weaned and commenced the annual live export of Scholars.

What followed was a life changing experience for me and the connections, friends and fun along the way won’t ever be forgotten. After my scholarship I founded a business called Stable, that now helps businesses all over the world manage volatile commodity prices. We now have over 50 people on the team in London, Chicago and Amsterdam and next year we will open our first Asian office in Singapore.

Gaining the knowledge and confidence to make the most of the opportunities that emerged from my Nuffield experience has had a huge impact on me personally and I now work with potential scholars in the South West to help them start their own Nuffield adventure.

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What is the most essential ingredient in our Big Mac ? ®

It is Helen Simms and over 23,000 other hardworking British and Irish Farmers.

At McDonald’s, we are committed to supporting the industry and investing in the future of farming through our Farm Forward Programme.

By working in partnership with the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, we aim to support research into new techniques to help farms become more sustainable.

Find out more at: www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/good-to-know/about-our-food

McD_Trust_NuffieldHealth_Press_V7.indd 1

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29/09/2020 17:13

TheWorshipful Worshipful Company Company of The ofButchers Butchers is pleased tosupport support is pleased to The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust

WorshipfulCompany Company of of Butchers Butchers has associated TheThe Worshipful hasbeen been associated with the meat trade for over 1000 years and is pleased with the meat trade for over 1000 years and is pleased that that currently over 90 percent of its members have some currently overwith 90thepercent members have some connection industry.of Theits three great tenets of the connection with the The three tenets of the Company are industry. charity, education andgreat fellowship.

Company are charity, education and fellowship.

The Company is an active sponsor of Nuffield Scholars and The Company is aan active sponsor Nuffield enjoys good relationship withofthe Trust Scholars and enjoys aFor good relationship with the contact: Trust further information, please

For further information, please contact: Major General Jeff Mason Worshipful Major General Jeff MasonCompany of Butchers Worshipful Company ofButchers’ ButchersHall 87 Bartholomew Close Butchers’ Hall London EC1A 7EB 87 Bartholomew Close Tel: 0203 931 8350 London EC1A 7EB Email: clerk@butchershall.com Tel: 0203 931 8350 Email: Theclerk@butchershall.com Hall is also available to book for events - please email butchershall@bovingdons.co.uk or telephone 0203 478 9440 The Hall is also availablefortoenquiries. book for events - please email butchershall@lifeskitchen.com or telephone 0207 248 1163 for enquiries.

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THE ROLE UK AGRICULTURE CAN PLAY IN DELIVERING SOCIAL CARE ROBIN ASQUITH 2016 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR Robin Asquith (center) with Social Farmers in Italy

Before my Nuffield Scholarship I was in a management position in a small charity. My role involved running the hill farm which had highland cattle, pigs and poultry. The farm has a twist though, we supported up to twelve individuals with learning and mental disabilities on the farm and they worked alongside us. By giving people an opportunity to work on the farm, something many of them had never had before, is hugely rewarding; not only for myself, but for them too. It gives purpose, direction and structure to people’s lives. I applied for a Nuffield Scholarship as I hadn’t travelled far, but also because I wanted to learn how other people did what we did. I had only recently heard the term ‘Social Farming’ and it was a lot more common overseas than in the UK. It got me wondering why this was, and how we could improve things in the UK? Nuffield gave me the confidence to grow and expand my horizons and my knowledge base.

But it was initial personal misfortune which really steered the course of my Nuffield journey. On the first day of the Pre-CSC Briefing induction to Nuffield, sat in the imposing Savills Board Room in central London and being told we were the future of agriculture, I sat with a growing and increasingly overwhelming sense of obligation and pressure. A sense which later that day led me to an NHS Accident & Emergency Department. So, I missed the Contemporary Scholars’ Conference in Ireland. I appeared written off.

But, through sheer determination not to quit, I continued and completed my travels. It is now, as I sit reflecting on the experience, that I realise it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

The travel gave me confidence, I learnt to cope with being in uncomfortable positions. I lost my fear of flying, and I became comfortable far away from my normal routine.

That’s what Nuffield gave to me - the confidence that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I was no longer the shy lad from Yorkshire who did the ‘hippy’ farming. I was a strong minded and capable young chap who could set about and achieve anything he wanted.

Without this new confidence I probably wouldn’t be sat here writing this – nor would I have subsequently travelled to Kenya to do voluntary work in remote farming communities.

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Through the Nuffield journey I changed jobs, from one in a very small rural charity to a role in a large national charity leading a strategy change over several geographically spread sites. I’m pleased to say the charity now has five active and flourishing social farms and gardens, providing structured and person-centred learning opportunities to adults living with disabilities.

I now lead our estates team which couples my love of agriculture with my interest in buildings and their environment.

I have used my experience to help expand the sector nationally. I was a trustee of Care Farming UK and helped steer the charity through a merger to form a new organisation, Social Farms & Gardens. The charity was able to grow and, thereby, expand the social farm sector through successful funding; we did have 200 social farms in the UK, this now stands closer to 300.

Outside of Nuffield my life is as busy as ever. My wife and I have developed our own business, expanding our traditional farm fresh turkey enterprise into a more Christmas focused enterprise, expanding our range and improving our customer experience. I am the proud father of two and just embarking on one of my biggest challenges – building the family home! Nuffield gave me the confidence to take a few risks, buying some land without planning permission and selling the family home to do so was one of those! Eighteen months later we are to embark on building an ‘eco home’. Once built this will enable me to follow my lifelong dream of starting our own small scale soft fruit enterprise.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED JOINING THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT? It has never been more important for those involved in farm management and food production to be able to demonstrate high standards of competence, integrity and ethics.

How do you do this in an industry that is so diverse and disparate? By joining an organisation which is committed to: • Promoting high standards in the practice and management in agriculture • Promoting training and CPD in all aspects of agricultural business management and creating a demonstrable career progression

• Encouraging the provision and attainment of professional qualifications • Championing the achievements in high standards of agricultural practice • Providing unique opportunities to network and share best practice.

That organisation is the Institute of Agricultural Management run by, and for, those committed to a vibrant, sustainable and socially-aware farming industry.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT WHO CAN JOIN? Membership is open to those involved in farm, land and rural environment management including farmers, farm managers, consultants, advisors, lecturers, researchers and students.

ACTIVITIES

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

• The opportunity to progress through a structured career programme

• The opportunity to develop your skills and expertise to help develop your career

• Access to specially designed training programmes including the Leadership Development Programme and the Farm Management Skills Programme as well as an industry recognised Continuous Development Programme

• A structured career progression

• National events including a National Farm Walk and the prestigious National Farm Management Conference as well as our annual Question Time evening

• The chance to meet regularly with likeminded people in the industry and build a diverse and varied network • Involvement in a range of events • Access to the International Journal of Agricultural Management

• Regional branches organise a programme of meetings and events providing an excellent forum for networking and the exchange of ideas

01275 843825

enquiries@iagrm.com

www.iagrm.com

THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT The Farm Office | Redend Farm | Station Road | Pilning | Bristol | BS35 4JW

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The MacRobert Trust is proud to work in partnership with the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust by providing a dedicated scholarship for Scottish farmers.

The MacRobert Trust is a charitable organisation based on the MacRobert Estate in Aberdeenshire supporting Agriculture & Horticulture, the Military, Engineering, Education and the local area; on the Estate is their very own Country House Hotel – Douneside House. All profit earned by the Estate goes to charity.

Experience the ultimate highland retreat at Douneside House. the perfect country getaway in the heart of royal deeside.

The newly refurbished Douneside House offers everything - and so much more - one would expect from a Scottish country retreat. Its rich history and magnificent location in the heart of The MacRobert Estate in Royal Deeside set the scene for a truly memorable stay. Imagine classic interiors, elegantly furnished and decorated with fine art and precious heirlooms. Breathtaking views of our ‘infinity lawn’ and beyond, over the Howe of Cromar.

An exquisite fine dining menu created by our award-winning chef, featuring fresh produce from Douneside’s 17 acres of lovingly tended gardens and perfectly matched by an extensive wine and whisky menu. A state-of-the-art Health Club with brand-new facilities, including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, game room and all-weather tennis court. This and more, delivered with unparalleled, passionate service. Douneside House awaits you with open arms.

for reservations & details of our special offers available throughout the year visit: www.dounesidehouse.co.uk

douneside house, tarland, aberdeenshire, ab34 4ul scotland +44 (0)13398 81230 manager@dounesidehouse.co.uk

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NFU MUTUAL CHARITABLE TRUST Supporting rural initiatives The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust was set up in 1998 to promote and support charities in the United Kingdom working in agriculture and rural development.

Since then we’ve made a positive difference to education, research, social welfare and poverty relief with donations to charities connected with agriculture and the countryside.

To ensure support continues during the current health emergency, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has made donations totalling nearly £2 million over the last 18 months across several national organisations that reach out to the isolated and vulnerable across the UK. For more information, please go to nfumutual.co.uk and search for ‘Charitable Trust’.

The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust (No.3615736). Registered in England. Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. (Charity Commission No. 1073064)

NFUM_CT_Advert_A5_0821.indd 1

04/08/2021 12:50

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HELP OR HINDER? HOW THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA PORTRAYS FARMING TO THE PUBLIC ANNA JONES 2016 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR

I had been a member of staff at the BBC for nearly 10 years before I applied for my Nuffield Scholarship, working primarily on rural affairs programmes like Countryfile and Radio 4’s Farming Today. Before that I was a regional newspaper journalist, knocking on doors, covering court cases and chasing ambulances. I lived in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol. My life and career had drifted a long way from the small beef and sheep farm where I was born and raised on the Welsh Borders.

By 2015, in my early thirties, I was feeling disconnected from my farming roots. I felt I had lost something. It was Tanya Robbins, 2013 NSch, who first recommended applying for a Nuffield and imparted a key bit of advice: “You don’t have to be a farmer to be a Nuffield Scholar.” It was the beginning of an incredible journey.

Countryside Fund and Mercer Family Charitable Foundation. Thanks to our generous sponsors, Just Farmers has provided media education training for 60 farmers from around the UK and helped more than 100 members of the media contact farmer case studies through our website.

I felt the best contribution I could make was to help farmers and the media better understand each other, by addressing perceived divisions, opening up conversations and building bridges between two different cultures. My study looked at the coverage of agricultural issues in the mainstream media and took me to farms and newsrooms across the US, Kenya, Denmark, France, Belgium and Ireland.

Since becoming a Nuffield Scholar, I have given keynote speeches at conferences around the world, been awarded Associateship of the Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS) and was nominated for Digital Innovator of the Year at the British Farming Awards 2020. My freelance media career has gone from strength to strength too, producing Countryfile’s annual Harvest Special, producing and presenting a documentary series about farming for the BBC World Service and writing my first book, due to be published in 2022.

I’ve often heard it said that a “Nuffield Scholarship will change your life”. For me that was spot on. Within six months of presenting at the 2017 Nuffield Conference, I had quit my staff job at the BBC, gone freelance and set up a communications project called ‘Just Farmers’.

Our aim is to build confidence among farmers and growers about talking to the media; while helping journalists and programme makers find independent, authentic voices at the grassroots of farming. I successfully applied for start-up funding from the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust and charitable grants from the Prince’s

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I owe much of this to the Nuffield Scholarship experience and my two sponsors, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and the Trehane Trust. It helped me build a global network of contacts, find the confidence to truly be myself and gave me the courage and boldness to set out on a new path. Thank you Nuffield.

Noddwr / Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

Show dates for 2022 Gŵyl Tyddyn a Chefn Gwlad 21-22 Mai Smallholding & Countryside Festival 21-22 May

Sioe Frenhinol Cymru 18-21 Gorffennaf Royal Welsh Show 18-21 July

Ffair Aeaf Frenhinol Cymru 28-29 Tachwedd Royal Welsh Winter Fair 28-29 November

Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys. LD2 3SY

cafc.cymru rwas.wales

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HOW FARM SAFETY CAN BE IMPROVED JAMES CHAPMAN 2016 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR

In 2005 I lost my left arm to an unguarded PTO shaft, the ensuing few months were taken up with visits to hospitals for physical and mental repairs which although not ideal, did at least give me something to do. Soon after I became heavily involved in the Young Farmers Club (YFC) both at a county level and at national level.

It was during my time with the National Federation of Young Farmers that I became involved with HSE to help promote farm safety. Put basically it was don’t do what I did kind of thing, but, soon I was being asked to do talks on the subject. Mostly I would relive the day I lost my arm, revelling in the gory details, hoping to turn a few people green, whilst slipping in the odd bit of humour to lighten the mood.

However, I began to find people asking questions about keeping safe on farm and if there was anything that was being done better elsewhere. But that was a question I couldn’t answer. By chance I was approached by a previous scholar who suggested that maybe I should apply for a Nuffield, which I did.

The scholarship enabled me to get a wider view of the problems we face in agriculture but also realised that the problems we have in the UK are exactly the same around the world. Annoyingly nobody has fixed it completely. However I managed to find some great individual work being done to improve safety so hopefully my report has helped bring some of those ideas together.

Since completing my scholarship I’ve been made a trustee for the Farm Safety Foundation where I’m able to use my learnings to help shape the direction of a fantastic charity. Having a Nuffield behind me has also given me a bigger platform to get my message out to farmers around the country and most importantly I’ve been able to influence several Nuffield year groups at the start of their journeys which has hopefully helped keep them safe but also opened their eyes to the issue and hopefully they can use their influence as Nuffield scholars to help promote safety on farms, giving me way more impact than just one voice.

Nuffield has given me much more than I set out to achieve from life long friendships to a greater perspective of national and international agriculture. The farm business I work on has changed as a direct result of Nuffield which has nothing to do with my topic but due to being exposed to some of the best farmers from around the world.

On top of all this its also been a lot of fun!

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The Richard Lawes Foundation The Richard Lawes Foundation was created as a result of the success of the businesses of Volac and Pritchitt Foods. The innovation of these companies generated profits by identifying undervalued raw materials and converting them into valuable end products using food science.

The Foundation’s trustees would like to support Nuffield scholars on a general basis.

We would be particularly interested in scholars who would like to work on a project which involves some of the following characteristics: Market / consumer facing interest Technical innovation Food and health Future sustainability Crop technology Entrepreneurship Trustees have backgrounds in crop science, food processing, retail and food service marketing and general business management. We would be keen to help scholars develop their skills in any of these areas.

The Richard Lawes Foundation is delighted to support Nuffield Farming Scholars

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BLACKGRASS: SYSTEM BEN OFFERS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT B E N T AY L O R - D AV I E S 2 0 1 6 N U F F I E L D S C H O L A R

Before my Nuffield Scholarship, my wife and I spent an awful long time in Birmingham children’s hospital’s intensive care unit following a horrific head accident to my son. My career as an agronomist was on a slide as the wretch of mental health issues swamped my everyday life, having a huge effect on my family and my work. It was certainly a time where everything I did became questionable and whilst I put so much energy into my son’s survival, I pondered why as a farm agronomist I was spending so much time and effort into killing anything that became a problem?

For me, Nuffield gave me something very different than, I guess, for most. Firstly, I had found it a struggle to leave my family (even for a day’s work) since the accident yet my first trip was to the USA, alone, for 6 weeks, this had possibly the biggest impact on my healing.

I had 2 choices, drive around wishing I was at home, or make the most of the trip. Fortunately, I chose the latter and returned with a new found enthusiasm for life and agriculture. Whilst my subject choice was indeed being researched, it was all the other things about agricultural learning that was really shaping my mind and ultimately my future.

Actually, the main ‘learnings’ for me, were: the return of being confident in my own ability to just be me, but, more importantly, were mainly the people who I met that offered me an alternative to the problems I was facing in my own career.

Encouraging me to work with nature rather than against it, understanding that fighting biology with chemistry and physics was finite and to recognise the fact the answers were out there - if I just took time to look for them.

What my successes have been since my Nuffield Scholarship is a huge question and something I am currently writing a book about, so a paragraph will struggle to do it justice! As a farmer first, I began exploring my ’learnings’ and putting these into practice. If diversity is key, why was the farm simply arable? The farm now has 14 enterprises that all complement each other and mean the waste of one is often the start or certainly a use in another. Six more enterprises to go until I have

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reached my ultimate goal of 20. My main business as an agricultural consultant (agronomist) has changed hugely too with the reinvention and rebranding as ’Regenben’ 12 months ago. I now give regenerative advice from the ’learnings’ on my own farm and the business is absolutely flying! And I am having a lot of fun too! (A principle of mine is that if you aren’t having fun, to ask seriously why are you doing it?)

However, I think the most overriding thing in my life since Nuffield is ‘energy’.

My scholarship seems to have recharged me, my enthusiasm and love for agriculture and life is back.

If I can make just a small difference to clients, the general public and the world, then I have succeeded in leaving perhaps just a small dent in the future long-term sustainability of our industry.

I think my wider achievement is sharing the knowledge and the basics. I am privileged to be able to speak on many panels, podcasts and webinars about the basics of regenerative agriculture. The fact that farming should be as simple as you can make it, essentially taking 3 free things - precipitation, sunlight and carbon dioxide - putting these through the very catalyst you own ‘soil’ and make money. We have to be careful how far we travel from this model as every input we purchase means someone else is taking a ‘cut’ from your farm business. I also feel I can effect change by questioning and then finding solutions to the reduction and ultimately removal of pollution from agriculture and make sure that every day another step is made into becoming a far more sustainable and profitable industry.

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION FOR SPECIFIC NUTRITIONAL NEED B A R B A R A B R AY 2 0 1 7 N U F F I E L D S C H O L A R Marcos Bevilacqua Photography

I applied for a Nuffield Farming Scholarship two years after setting up a consultancy business in food safety and nutrition, working with food industry clients. I had wanted to get involved in more research and innovation projects, but there was also a huge compliance aspect to my services which did not leave much room for creative or multidisciplinary thinking, something which became an important part of my Scholarship journey.

The Scholarship helped me to step away from a specialised area and take a look at the whole food system from a wider perspective. I surprised myself by realising that there was so much more to learn about how I interact with people professionally and personally. The Global Focus Programme caused me to reflect on how I had rushed through countries whilst working, without taking the time to look at socio-politic issues or see the context in which businesses operated.

I learned the value of building strong relationships with people first to enable valuable discussions about the things that matter. The biggest impact was understanding the influence of an environment on how people shop, cook and eat and how this determines health outcomes.

As I look back on my Scholarship, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and thank my sponsors and all the people who supported my journey.

I continue to run my consultancy and have successfully transitioned into offering services that focus on development and strategy. This has brought in new clients looking at how they can improve the nutritional quality of their product portfolios and make them more environmentally sustainable and healthy. I have been invited to participate in multi-disciplinary expert groups and on projects looking at improving the food system. A highlight was speaking at the UN Committee for Food Security in 2018 and 2019 and being involved in the

talks to develop the Voluntary Guidelines for Food Systems and Nutrition. The shift in focus to nutrition in my business has been helped by my election to the Nutrition Society board of trustees where I have responsibility for International Affairs.

I applied to the Oxford Farming Conference and became a Director in 2018. This has enabled me to reach out to young people from diverse backgrounds and encourage them in their careers in the agri-food sector.

I was awarded an MBE for services to food nutrition in 2019 and I was very humbled to be publicly recognised for my work. This led to an increased profile and opportunities not only to engage with business and organisations but also to inspire others in my sector.

In 2020 I gave a TEDx talk on diet, diversity and the future of food highlighting the impact of the food environment on our diet and health. This subsequently led to being invited to speak on the topic at meetings and podcasts.

I continue to be an advocate for sustainable nutrition and access to healthy, affordable food across all population groups. I decided that in order to pursue my research and innovation interests I would apply for a PhD in Nutrition at Queens University Belfast starting in October 2021. The study is part of a food systems based doctoral training programme that will give me a solid base for learning about trans-disciplinary working.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

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SECURING FARMERS’ RESILIENCE IN A CHANGING WORLD JUDE MCCANN 2017 NUFFIELD SCHOLAR

Prior to my Nuffield scholarship I worked with Rural Support in Northern Ireland while living and working on the family farm in Mid-Ulster. Working for a charitable farm support organisation I was keen to learn from others and broaden my horizons while gaining a global perspective of agriculture, food production and rural communities. Farming and travelling is also something that is in my blood. For as long as our family history can be traced we were farmers in both my father’s and mother’s families, while many of our ancestors had to travel to find employment and seek new opportunities. Nuffield presented an exciting and challenging opportunity.

My Nuffield scholarship was life changing. Making friends and connections from across the globe was fantastic. Learning from others and appreciating the blessings that we have on these small islands in the UK - in terms of what we can produce and the resilient people we have - was humbling.

Nuffield opened doors locally and internationally and contributed to my current role as CEO of the Farming Community Network (England and Wales). It gave me the confidence to push harder and aim higher.

Nuffield undoubtedly helped me to embrace change, step outside my comfort zone and, I hope, make positive contributions to the UK agricultural community. In my current role we have developed a 5 year strategic plan for FCN - ‘Fit for a New Farming Future’. We have secured funding with support from fellow Nuffield scholars to establish ‘Reconnecting projects’ for our farm communities as we move out of lockdown. Thank you to The Mercer Charitable Foundation for supporting this work. We have also developed projects with Nuffield UK (thanks to the Garfield Weston Foundation), NFU Mutual and many others to increase resilience among our farming communities. Nuffield has helped us look to the future with confidence and positivity.

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supporting

The Thomas Henry Foundation

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust

The Thomas Henry Foundation was created under the terms of the will dated 28th May 1847 of Thomas Henry, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland.

The principal objective of the foundation is the advancement and promotion of Agricultural Science through the provision of Bursaries and Scholarships to suitable candidates from Northern Ireland.

The Foundation also provides financial assistance which enables representatives from Northern Ireland to attend conferences of the Royal Agricultural Society of the British Commonwealth held in different parts of the world.

The Foundation also awards an annual bursary to support a student at Greenmount Agricultural College in County Antrim.

If you live in Northern Ireland and are interested in applying for a Nuffield Farming Scholarship funded by the Thomas Henry Foundation application forms can be obtained from the address below.

Colonel M J Vacher OBE FCMI, Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust, Southill Farmhouse, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5SH O: 01460 234012 | M: 07788 138372 | E: director@nuffieldscholar.org www.nuffieldscholar.org

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2019 PRESENTING SCHOLARS

ED BARNSTON Rural Estates: benchmarking success Worshipful Company of Farmers & Savills

DAN BURDETT Regenerative Agriculture: Making the change happen McDonald’s UK & Ireland

HANNAH EASTAUGH

HEIDI HALL

Adapting UK egg production for an increasingly welfareconscious market

The Power of the Microbiome to produce Happy, Healthy Pigs

BEMB Trust

John Oldacre Foundation

CHRIS HARRAP

CLAIRE HODGE

ALICE JONES

MARK LITTLE

“We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us” – an environmental psychology study of livestock buildings…

Improving connectivity in seed potato supply chains

Cultivating elders for the UK processing industries

Feeding for health, combating antimicrobial resistance

MacRobert Trust

Thatchers Cider

Thomas Henry Foundation

John Oldacre Foundation

PENNY MONTGOMERIE

GRACE O’GORMAN

SARAH PICK

JOHN REMNANT

What role should young farmers groups play in the development of Scottish agriculture

Animal medicine best practice, unlocking the potential for UK farming

Heifer replacement strategies: cost reduction in the UK suckler beef herd

AHDB

Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Worshipful Company of Butchers

Ensuring the veterinary profession meets the needs of livestock agriculture now and in the future

Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland

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The Trehane Trust

2019 PRESENTING SCHOLARS

VICKY ROBINSON

JAMES SMALDON

CHARLIE STEER

RICHARD WALKER

Farmer to Farmer Knowledge Exchange: Relevance and challenges during change

Managing poultry welfare in a transitioning world of technology

The Circular Farm. Minimising input for maximum output in a mixed farming system

Central Region Farmers Trust

Three Counties Agricultural Society and McDonald’s UK & Ireland

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

The British Dairy Industry within a Global Market Context: Integrating British dairy products and ingredients with developing global markets

DUNCAN WILLIAMS Dairy Antibiotics: Achieving Sustainable Use Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust and Richard Lawes Foundation

Food Chain Scholarship and The Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award

BARRY O’BOYLE (2018 Scholar) Opportunities for farmers to grow wealth in the Fourth industrial revolution Thomas Henry Foundation

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2020 SCHOLARS

AOIFE BEHAN

DAVID BUTLER

LIZZIE CARR-ARCHER

PETER CRAVEN

Policies for a transition to agroecology by 2045 (Scotland)

Biodiversity for the Future of Fruit Farming

How seed breeding could reduce farm inputs in the future

How to progress a farming business from ‘Good’ to ‘Great’

Worshipful Company of Farmers with Savills & Central Region Farmers Trust

Thatchers Cider

MacRobert Trust

NICOLA HARRISON

EDWARD JONES

FRED LANGDALE

JAMIE LOCKHART

Mapping out a green growth strategy for UK horticulture

Are we investing in the right agriculture technology and innovation?

Frost protection and post frost care in cool climate viticulture

Unlocking the potential of Data Use and Agri-tech within Agriculture

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society

John Oldacre Foundation

Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association

Worshipful Company of Fruiterers & Food Chain Scholarship

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Thatchers Cider

LUCY MACLENNAN

TERESA MEADOWS

EMMA PATTERSON TAYLOR

ANGUS RUSSELL

Do audits really improve microbiological food safety in fresh produce?

Challenging the Conventional: Behaviour change methods for the adoption of IPM

The position of farming in the public consciousness

Central Region Farmers Trust

John Oldacre Foundation

The Family Farm’s Sustainability and Profitability Through Joint Venture Farming

Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland

John Oldacre Foundation, McDonalds UK & Ireland & Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award

2020 SCHOLARS

HANNAH SENIOR

SAMUEL SMITH

GARY SPENCE

SAMUEL STEGGLES

Accelerating AgriTech Entrepreneurs

Regenerative agriculture: a shared ambition for the future of farming?

I can’t believe it’s not beef!

Can livestock compete with alternative proteins?

The journey to maturity Navigating sustainable food business growth

McDonald’s Restaurants

Thomas Henry Foundation

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship)

2019 SCHOLARS

JAMES STOBART

ALASTAIR TRICKETT

SAM MARTIN

JAMES STANDEN

Effective monitoring methods that measure ecological outcomes in grazing systems

How Brands Drive Demand for Regenerative Agriculture

How do we make dairy farming an attractive career choice for the Millennial generation?

Achieving excellence in university and college farms.

Implementing best practice from home and abroad

The Company of Merchants of the Staple of England & AHDB

Yorkshire Agricultural Society & National Trust

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship)

John Oldacre Foundation

2018 SCHOLARS

MARTIN GOTT

JOE TOWERS

Artisan Cheese: how farming systems impact cheese quality

Will Carbon be the Dairy Quota of the Future?

Alan & Anne Beckett NSchs

McDoanld’s UK & Ireland

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2021 SCHOLARS

RANALD ANGUS

IAN BAGGS

MATTHEW BLYTH

ANNA BOWEN

“Bridging the carbon divide” - Marketing soil sequestered carbon for economic, agronomic & climatic regeneration

Sustainable forage cropping for dairy cattle in the face of climate change challenges

Evaluating the potential cost benefits of electronic data recording for UK sheep and beef farms

Can the UK improve the ethics of its dairy calf management while retaining profitability?

The Trehane Trust

MacRobert Trust

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship) and a Young Nuffield Award

RICHARD COPAS

DAN DE BAERDEMAECKER

JOHN GRAY

KEITH GUE

The mechanization of cherry production and harvest

Influences affecting management and productivity of deer as a semidomesticated species in an intensive farming system

Fresh produce supply chain excellence - Growing our share of the value chain

Could Dairy be the Pig and Poultry of the future?

Malcom Isaac NSch

The Studley College Trust

Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland and Worshipful Company of Fruiterers

East Sussex NFU

GEOFF GUY

CAMILLA HAYSELDEN-ASHBY

ROBERT HOWE

AISLA JONES

Deer Farming and Landscape Scale Management of Wild Deer to Combat Habitat Degradation and Produce Sustainable Venison in the UK

Hemp: how can UK farmers take advantage of this profitable, sustainable crop?

Exploring & defining the role of Farm Vets within Regenerative Agriculture

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

AHDB

How can retail and supply chains create demand for more sustainable aquaculture feed?

John Oldacre Foundation

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John Oldacre Foundation

Richard Lawes Foundation

2021 SCHOLARS

JAMES MACCARTNEY

CHRIS MANLEY

ADRIAN MARSHALL

EMILY MCVEIGH

UK red meat production: How to win the battle for environmental sustainability in the mind of the consumer

Taking Agriculture to the Leading Edge: What can we learn from the best leaders inside and outside Agriculture?

Can welfare expectations of consumers be met by the UK commercial egg sector in the short and long term?

Farm to glass: Assessing how farms can benefit from future trends in the drinks industry

Worshipful Company of Butchers

NAVARATNAM (THEEB) PARTHEEBAN Encouraging and supporting an ethnically diverse workforce in the agricultural, farming and veterinary sector McDonald’s UK & Ireland

Worshipful Company of Farmers with Savills

BEMB Trust

Alan and Anne Beckett NSchs

GARY THOMPSON

EDWARD TOWERS

CLAIRE WHITTLE

Breaking dairy farming’s addiction to inorganic fertilizer: The road to rehabilitation

Atmospheric carbon to organic matter to crypto/ecurrency

Do regenerative agriculture principles improve the health and welfare of livestock?

John Oldacre Foundation

McDonald’s UK & Ireland

Thomas Henry Foundation

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2022 NEW SCHOLARS

VIC BALLANTYNE

OLIVIA CHAMPION

OLI CHEDGEY

ALI COOK

Too fat? A study on female livestock in areas with extreme seasonal variability

Circular economy principles for the sustainable farming of nutritious insects feed and food ingredients

Living the Farming Ladder

Utilisation and impact of robotics on large scale dairy farms

Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland & Worshipful Company of Farmers with Savills

MacRobert Trust

Richard Lawes Foundation

LIZ CRESSWELL

KENDRA HALL

ROB HAVARD

BEN HUNT

Cattle health schemes: what does success look like?

Building trust in British farming through increased transparency of on-farm livestock production

Evaluation of beef cattle selection methods for profitability in grass fed production systems

How to create a local soil carbon market between farmers and utility companies

Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust & AHDB

Worshipful Company of Butchers

Central Region Farmers Trust

John Oldacre Foundation

MILES MIDDLETON

EMILY PADFIELD

JAMES PICK

TOBY SIMPSON

Working towards Net Zero in the Dairy sector: Trade offs, opportunity costs and alternative allocations for scarce resources

The mob-grazed flerd: improving soil, biodiversity and farm incomes

Can maincrop potatoes be grown in a regenerative system?

Cover and catch cropping opportunities in UK arable agriculture

Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship)

Alan & Anne Beckett Award

McDonald’s UK and Ireland

Yorkshire Agricultural Society

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The Trehane Trust

2022 NEW SCHOLARS

CHRIS TAYLOR

DAVID THROUP

MIRANDA TIMMERMAN

JAMES WRIGHT

Do regenerative farming practices pave the way for UK agriculture to meet Net Zero?

Poultry Manure: a study into the storage, bi-product capabilities & the impact on environment sustainability

Investigate sustainable methods to improve gastrointestinal parasite management, reducing anthelmintic resistance in the UK sheep flock

Biomass heat into cooling within intensive poultry production - mitigating climate change

McDonald’s UK and Ireland

BEMB Trust

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, Worshipful Company of Farmers with Savills & Young Nuffield Award

HELEN WYMAN

TOM YOUNG

Bioenergy crops: An opportunity to address the triple bottom line

Sustainable water use: Opportunities for agriculture based on cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing

John Oldacre Foundation

Worshipful Company of Gardeners

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NUFFIELD FARMING 2022 DIARY DATES

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Event

Date

Launch & virtual Open Evening for potential 2023 Scholars

12th January

The Oxford Farming Conference

5th – 7th January

Dairy Tech - Stoneleigh

2nd February

Nuffield 2022 Scholars Pre-CSC Briefing

28th February – 5th March

Nuffield Contemporary Scholars Conference (UK)

7th - 15th March

Pig and Poultry Fair

10th & 11th May

Royal Welsh smallholding & Countryside Festival

21st & 22nd May

Royal Bath and West Show

2nd – 4th June

Cereals – The Arable Show

8th & 9th June

The South of England Show

10th – 12th June

The Royal Three Counties Show

17th – 19th June

The Royal Highland Show

23rd – 26th June

Lincolnshire Show

22nd & 23rd June

The Royal Norfolk Show

29th & 30th June

The Great Yorkshire Show

12th – 15th July

The Royal Welsh Show and Nuffield Farming Reception

18th – 21st July

Deadline for the following Applications: • 2022 Bullock Award • 2023 Nuffield Farming Scholarships

31st July

Turriff Show

31st July & 1st August

UK Dairy Day

14th September

The Dairy Show

5th October

2023 Nuffield Scholar Selection Interviews

Beginning October

Announcement of 2023 NSchs

End of October

2022 Nuffield Farming Conference – Cardiff

23rd – 25th November

JOIN US AT THE 2022 NUFFIELD FARMING CONFERENCE IN CARDIFF Nuffield Cymru is delighted to be hosting the 2022 Nuffield Farming Conference as it makes a return visit to Wales.

The conference will take place on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th November 2022 at Cardiff City Hall The majestic City Hall stands in the heart of the capital and was opened in 1906, a year after Cardiff was granted its city status. It will provide the perfect backdrop for another jam-packed programme of scholar presentations together with a celebration of Welsh culture, food and drink.

Offers of support for the 2022 Nuffield Conference, including food and drink for the conference menus, auction or raffle prizes and sponsorship, are especially welcome.

Please contact Aled Rhys Jones NSch (aled@ontheland.co.uk).

We look forward to welcoming you to Wales next year.

Edrychwn ymlaen at eich croesawu chi i Gymru’r flwyddyn nesaf.

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The Farmers Club is farming’s home from home in London.

Members are all involved in farming, agriculture, food, drink and related industries and welcomes all ages and families.

The Club based at 3 Whitehall Court, London, offers a home from home environment with accommodation, an excellent Restaurant showcasing great British food and a Bar that has witnessed many a farming debate. A range of function rooms are also available catering for business and social occasions and the wonderful Terrace overlooking the River Thames is the perfect place to watch the world go by. In addition to a selection of function rooms, some overlooking the River Thames the Shaw Room and Business Suite also ensure that if needed, business can be done during your stay.

A busy Club Events programme takes place throughout the year covering farming and agricultural subjects and many an event for your social calendar. The club also goes “club to country” and can be seen at agricultural shows and trips around the UK and beyond and the vibrant Under 30’s membership section has an array of events that cater for the next generation.

All these provide a wonderful opportunity to take a break and/or network with other like-minded members.

The Farmers Club has a great reputation for the best of British food and is ideal for business, pleasure and leisure.

Supporting farming and agribusiness The Saffery Champness national agribusiness group advises clients across the food supply chain from input suppliers to food processors, providing our clients with a breadth of understanding.

We advise on acquisitions and disposals, structuring and funding investments, tax and succession planning.

Visit www.saffery.com to find out more about us or contact: Mark Hill Partner E: mark.hill@saffery.com T: +44 (0)117 332 7494

J9102 - Nuffield annual report advert 2021 v2.indd 1

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NUFFIELD FARMING LEGACY If you have benefited from the Nuffield experience you will know what a positive impact it can have on an individual’s life and career. You will also know that Nuffield benefits the wider industry and is playing a vital role in helping Society meet a variety of environmental challenges.

Nuffield is very fortunate in that it has enthusiastic sponsors who support individual scholars but covering all our overheads and funding additional activities is an ongoing challenge. A gift in your Will can help ensure that the Nuffield experience is available to future generations.

If you would like to remember Nuffield in your Will, there are three main types of gift you can make: •

Pecuniary Gift - is the gift of a particular sum of money

•

Specific Gift - is the gift of a specific item that could be for example - a property, a painting, a piece of jewellery or an antique.

•

Residuary Gift - is the gift of all (or part) of the value of your estate after debts, liabilities and other legacies have been paid

If you would like to leave Nuffield a gift in your Will the following wording may be helpful:

“I give (details of legacy) to Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Limited (Charity Registration Number: 1098519), Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5SH, for its general charitable purposes and I direct that a receipt from the Chairman or duly authorised officer shall be a valid and appropriate form of discharge.”

If you have already made your Will and decide that you would like to add a gift to Nuffield, the following wording for a codicil may be helpful when you visit your Solicitor or legal advisor:

“I (name) of (address) declare this to be my first codicil to my last Will dated (date). I give (details of legacy) to Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Limited (Charity Registration Number: 1098519), Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5SH, for its general charitable purposes and I direct that a receipt from the Chairman or duly authorised officer shall be valid and appropriate form of discharge. In all other respects I confirm my Will.”

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NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL REPORT 2021 Nuffield is an organisation that awards individuals with life changing opportunities that span their personal and professional lives, with a view to developing agricultural sector leaders and innovators of the future. We have funding available to sponsor overseas travel and assist with a period of study, and we’re always looking to attract new candidates. If you are farming yourself, or work in an industry associated to agriculture and rural industry, then please take the opportunity to explore our website and find out what Nuffield has to offer.

WWW.NUFFIELDSCHOLAR.ORG

ISBN 978-1-912059-30-0

Published by Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Southill Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5SH. T: 01460 234012 I E: director@nuffieldscholar.org

9 781912 059300