Beth Williams from Somerset received the Worshipful Company of Farmers’ Jubilee Scholarship Award in 2024 to complete a Level 3 Agriculture. Beth is not from a farming background but was inspired to get involved in the industry after joining her YFC and shares how the scholarship is helping her career.
I'm not from a farming background but live in a thriving rural dairy farming community. I joined my local Young Farmers' Club after the Covid pandemic to widen my friendship group and to reconnect with like-minded people my age after only being able to connect digitally. Safe to say, I loved it!
Within the space of a few months I started stockjudging and I have already competed in national competitions. My love for agriculture just keeps on growing.
I chose to do the Level 3 Agriculture at Sparsholt College in Winchester after my A Levels to widen my awareness, skills and knowledge of the different career opportunities within this sector. It's a two-year course with a requirement to specialise in either livestock or arable by the second year. I, of course, chose livestock.
I started working for one of our local dairy farmers and my fate was sealed. It helped me realise this is an industry where I belong – and that I need to be surrounded by cows!
After my course I want to continue working on farms as an artificial insemination assistant, managing herds for other farmers, tracking their cows' fertility and serving them when appropriate.
I was absolutely thrilled to find out I received the Jubilee Scholarship. The bursary has been really helpful to fund some of my accommodation costs whilst living away from home. Student debt can be tough, especially as I have to pay for accommodation and maintain the running of my car to and from college every week.
Having the extra financial support meant I could buy appropriate PPE to keep me safe, and follow college regulations, without the worry of being in debt.
Knowing I have a generous donation towards my fees has meant I can spend more time on my assignments. I couldn’t have done that without the bursary – it has meant I didn’t have to take on extra work just to cover my costs.
I am very grateful for being one of the lucky recipients of the Jubilee Scholarship and to the Worshipful Company of Farmers for helping me achieve my goals.
Apply for the 2025 Jubilee Scholarship fund.
