Young Farmer Needed to Represent Glendale in Canada

Young Farmer Needed to Represent Glendale in Canada

The Glendale Agricultural Society seeks a candidate for the 28^th Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Conference in Canada

Supporting the next generation through education has always been a major focus for the Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS). Through its highly successful annual Children’s Countryside Day it has educated in the region of 1500 children.

Through its bi-annual Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Bursary it also supports the next generation of Young Farmers (YF). Today they announce details of their 2018 RASC Bursary.

GAS, are looking to provide the chance of a lifetime for a Northumberland Young Farmer, as it announces its search to find a “Next Generation” Candidate.  As a member of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC), GAS will nominate a candidate to send on the 28th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference, which takes place between November 5-8, 2018. The bursary will help support the successful Young Farmer while he or she is at the Conference and there will also the potential opportunity, to attend the pre and post conference tours. These include beef, dairy, vegetable and cropping specific tours.

This year’s three-day RASC Conference to be held in Edmonton is hosted by Canada’s largest agricultural society. Glendale’s chosen candidate will attend the full conference where they will hear about how Northlands has cultivated the knowledge and experience to bring people together, spark interest and shine a light on Alberta’s agricultural industry. They will also be given an insight into the journey from gate to plate through educational programs, special events and the province’s culinary/food distribution channels. The candidate will hear from experts in their field, along with having the opportunity to network with many other commonwealth agricultural professionals.

The GAS scholarship provides a contribution towards expenses and support the chosen candidate in obtaining any necessary funding.  The candidate must be under the age of 40, with an involvement in agriculture, with the potential to contribute to the long-term face of agriculture in the region, country, and the Commonwealth.

Anyone wishing to apply should express their interest by contacting the Glendale Show Office by email to info@glendaleshow.com.and write in no more than 500 words as to why they would like to attend and how they feel that it would benefit both their future career and the Glendale Agricultural Society by attending this event. All expressions of interested should be received by Friday 20^th April 2018.

Simon Orpwood, a member of the GAS and Trustee of the RASC, said:

“The is a unique opportunity for a member of GAS and excellent learning and knowledge transfer platform for any young person looking to further their career in the agricultural industry. I am sure there will be many similarities between farming here in the UK and Canada so the information that is gathered during the conference and the people that the successful candidate meets will remain with them for the rest of their lives.”

Through this opportunity, the recipient will gain a greater understanding of the diversity of the agricultural industry on a world scale They will meet like-minded people from around the world and secure the experience of a lifetime. During the conference, the RASC coordinates a separate Next Generation Forum where future leaders of the Commonwealth Agricultural Societies meet, learn, and discuss related issues.

These are young farmers and advocates who are committed to improving the work of the RASC and their respective societies. Next Generation representatives are hand-selected by RASC member societies and come from over 50 leading national and regional agricultural show societies, agricultural associations and research bodies working in 20 Commonwealth countries. They are all under 40 years of age and bring a wide range of experiences from their countries and societies.

Former recipients of this Bursary have been Matthew Frater of Boulmer Hall Farm, near Alnwick; Rachel Fife in 2014 of Coldrife Farm in Northumberland, and Edinburgh-based Farm Consultant Jack Frater, who was born and brought up on a Northumberland Farm. 

Jack adds, “This is absolutely, a once in a life time opportunity to meet like-minded people from across the Commonwealth. I would urge any young person involved in the agricultural industry to take full advantage of this experience.  The information I gained, and contacts made, have stood me in very good stead in since attending the conference and tours, and I have made some life-long friends.”

For more information on the RASC Conference visit http://www.therasc.com/conference/  http://rasc2018canada.com