Bridgwater & Taunton College student Alexander Barback has been awarded a Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursary. Having impressed the judges with his knowledge of the agricultural industry, Alex will receive £500 to support course-related costs.

Alex is studying for his Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at BTC’s Cannington Campus. After College, he plans to pursue a career in farm management after travelling abroad.

Alex said

I’d really like to travel to different parts of the world to learn more about how they farm. I’m particularly interested in understanding how new technology can be used to help farm in a more productive, sustainable, and efficient manner. However, I’d like to get my diploma first, so this bursary will help to fund the equipment I need such as a laptop, overalls, wellies and waterproofs.

The Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursary is part of the Future Farming Programme supporting the future of agriculture in the South West. Four bursaries have been awarded to students at agricultural colleges in the region. Applications were judged by a panel including Cornish Mutual Managing Director Peter Beaumont.

Peter Beaumont said

We were hugely impressed in the quality of applications for our first Young Farmer Bursaries. All applicants displayed a clear passion for agriculture, but Alex showed a clear understanding of the challenges facing the industry and a desire to be part of its future.

To find out more about the Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursary, visit the organisation’s website. For more information about Agriculture courses for school leavers at BTC, visit our course information pages or come along to our next open event on Saturday 22 January 2022.