With more than £6000 available for successful applicants each year, the scholarship fund and brain child of Philip Halhead of Norbreck Genetics was launched by the Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society Trustees in 2009 and encourages young farmers and horticulturalists to study or explore business ideas abroad.

In 2014 winners of the scholarship included Ian Atkinson who received £3500 for travelling to New Zealand to study different livestock selling strategies, while Joe Towers was awarded £3000 to travel to China to look at the Chinese dairy industry and discover the opportunities that exist for UK businesses.

In addition to the travel bursary, the Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society trustees also funded an entrepreneurial young farmer to attend the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2015. Bethany Carr received £600 towards her trip and now advocates the scholarship by encouraging other young farming enthusiasts to apply for funds.

To date more than £70,000 has been provided for rural youngsters to expand their horizons. As well as those previously mentioned, other individuals have travelled to France, USA, Australia and New Zealand, looking at a varied range of issues from walling techniques to beef rearing, sheep marketing, equine development and wholesale flower businesses.

Applicants are asked to prepare a proposal outlining how they would use the funds and how they would benefit. The judging panel includes Lancaster and Morecambe Agriculture and Horticultural Society Trustees, Craig Thompson of Myerscough College’s Learning Manager for Agriculture and Philip Halhead from Norbreck Genetics.

Commenting on the scholarship, Philip says: “We’ve always received excellent and diverse applications in the past and by following the candidates on their journey and beyond we know the scholarship is making an impact. There’s a wealth of entrepreneurial spirit in Lancashire and we’re keen to hear from young people who want to gain a global insight into their dreams.”

For 2020 the scholarship will be running alongside the following dates:

• 14th February – Application deadline
• 21sdt February – Shortlist and invitation to interview
• 7th March – Interviews at Myerscough College – FFIT Centre

For anyone looking for more information or for those who wish to submit an application, please email Philip Halhead info@norbreckgenetics.com or call 07949 733747.