During Time of COVID

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.