Promising young farmers awarded bursary by Omsco

The Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCo) has awarded a Bursary to four promising, young organic dairy farmers. The Bursary, in its second year running, aims to assist young farmers looking to further their agricultural careers. OMSCo has allocated up to £5,000 in financial support to young farmers this year as part of its commitment to strengthening the future of the UK organic dairy industry.

The Bursary is available to OMSCo members, their immediate families, and employees on OMSCo farms. The four recipients were judged on an individual basis, although priority was given to those planning on studying for a practical agricultural qualification.

Simon Best, 21, from Tetbury, Gloucestershire, is using his Bursary to assist his studies in Agriculture at the Royal Agriculture College in Cirencester. Following graduation, Simon plans to go into farm management and believes that his BSc will provide him with the necessary skills to achieve this.

Matthew Pilkington, 20, from Bovey Tracey, Devon, will be using his Bursary to support a degree in Agricultural Business Management at the University of Reading. Matthew has a strong interest in organic dairy farming, having worked in New Zealand and on his parent's organic dairy farms in Warwickshire and Devon. He feels that further study will equip him with the necessary business skills to run a farm successfully. Matthew is keen to visit New Zealand again but would like to run his family owned farm in Warwickshire in the long term.

William Hemmings, 16, from Gulworthy, Tavistock, is OMSCo's youngest ever Bursary winner. William plans to use his Bursary to assist his study for a National Diploma in Agriculture at Lackham College, Wiltshire. The OMSCo Bursary will play a vital role in supporting William during his studies and will help fund working field trips abroad as part of his course.


George Steer, 19 from Gulworthy, Tavistock has been a bursary winner two years running. George will use his bursary to help fund the second year of his Foundation Degree in Agriculture at Bicton College. Committed to a career in organic farming, George feels the course will enable him to effectively run the family farm in years to come.

Rosie Palmer, Marketing Manager for OMSCo commented: "OMSCo is keen to support the long term future of organic dairy farming through attracting young, talented entrants into the sector. Many of our members are part of families that have been farming for generations, we're delighted to be able to assist young people in following their parent's footsteps into the industry. These four, promising young farmers are an encouraging sign that given the right support and incentive, we can encourage young people to study for a career in organic agriculture."