Applications are being encouraged for this year’s John Platt Travel Scholarship, run by Reaseheath College in partnership with Cheshire Agricultural Society.
There are two £2,000 travel scholarships on offer to young people aged between 18 and 35 who are working in the agricultural or related land based sector and who want to grow their knowledge by exploring their industry in other countries.
Although global travel is not possible at present due to coronavirus restrictions, Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, is still keen to encourage applications before the deadline of Thursday April 30.
Launched in 2008, the scholarships are particularly aimed at international research which will benefit Cheshire’s farming community. Past recipients have visited North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe and have studied topics such as new technology, alternative farming methods, use of natural resources and farm diversification.
On their return the winners make a formal presentation to the Cheshire Agricultural Society and are expected to give talks to groups such as Young Farmers Clubs.
Former recipient Sam Walton, who works at The Farm at Tatton Park, one of Cheshire’s leading tourist attractions, used his scholarship to visit New Zealand to study agri-tourism and particularly innovative ways to encourage the public to visit farms.
He said: “I’m keen to look at transferable ideas for attractions and diversified businesses and I chose New Zealand because it has some very successful and novel ways of educating the public about how their food is produced. I’d like to thank Reaseheath College and the Cheshire Agricultural Society for giving me the opportunity to further my knowledge and interests.”
The travel scholarships are in recognition of the late John Platt, a former chair of both Reaseheath Governors and of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, who was keen to support passionate and progressive agriculturists.
Click here to find out more or contact Cara Manfredi by emailing cara.manfredi@reaseheath.ac.uk.
