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Harper Adams University trio named as finalists in Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year awards

Posted 27 June

The three finalists in this year's Farmers Aweekly Ag Student of the Year awards - from left, George Elliott, Merryn Philp and Matthew Butterfield.

A trio of Harper Adams University students have been named as the three finalists in this year’s Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year awards.

The three – BSc (Hons) Agriculture student Matthew Butterfield, BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Mechanisation student George Elliott, and BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Animal Science student Merryn Philp – will find out who has won at the awards in October.

Merryn, from Launceston, Cornwall, said: “I can’t believe it! I have an immense sense of pride and I am ecstatic to be a finalist.

And George, from Ashbourne in Derbyshire, added: “My reaction was, firstly shock - and then sheer excitement! I cannot wait to attend the awards night in London. Being a finalist is a great way to end my four years at Harper Adams.”

Meanwhile Matthew – who is from Wimborne in Dorset - said: “I was very happy indeed, although it seemed to come out of the blue, especially since university life has been winding down over the last few months - so to find out about getting shortlisted was to be catapulted back in!”

Course Tutor Dr Russell Readman said: “To have all three finalists in the awards is an excellent result - and all three students would make worthy winners.

“It reflects the calibre of Harper Adams Agriculture students and cements a long track record of Harper Adams Agriculture students as finalists and winners of these awards.

“It has been a privilege to have known each of them.”

And Course Manager Louisa Dines added: “I was absolutely delighted to receive the news that three Harper students have been recognised as finalists for Farmers Weekly Ag student of the year, for not only their academic achievements but for all the other opportunities they have taken in their time at Harper.

“They are a credit to themselves and the University and we look forward to hearing who the worthy winner is at the awards in October!”

With the award shortlisting announcement marking the end of their undergraduate degrees at Harper Adams, each student is planning their next move – and looking back fondly at their time at University.

Looking at his future plans, Matthew – who was also named Dairy Student of the Year by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers in February – said: “I will be joining Grasslands farming in Much Wenlock as the assistant farm manager from this summer onwards, so I'll have been in the role a month or so before graduation.

“I'm really looking forward to the step up in responsibility and the challenges that doing so will bring.”

Meanwhile George said: “For my placement year, I was fortunate to secure the JCB Year in Industry Business Placement and Scholarship in which the Agricultural Sales Engineer Role really stood out to me.

“I am retuning to JCB at the end of June to undertake a full-time position as an Agricultural Sales Engineer working within JCB Agriculture.”

And Merryn added: “I am planning on travelling to Australia and New Zealand to work and travel.

“When I return I’m hoping to find a job in either cattle genetics, health or the meat industry whilst working on a few projects at home.”

Looking back at the highlights of her time at Harper, Merryn said: “I’ve enjoyed every moment from start to finish. I’ve loved studying at Harper for every aspect over the last four years and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Matthew added: “I can now officially say that having been here for four years, if I were to go back and change my time at Harper I wouldn't do so at all! 

“Academic life has been solid, and putting into practice during the placement year stood both myself and everyone I have spoken to in good stead. Lifelong friendships have been made and much banter has been had - good times indeed!”

And George said: “It has been a blast from start to finish!

“The people I have met - both friends and tutors_ and the experiences and opportunities I have received have made for a thoroughly enjoyable four years.

“I cannot imagine I would have experienced anything like this without having gone to Harper. 

“The only thing that is disappointing is my time at Harper is coming to an end. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”