The South West’s farmers of the future, new generation gardeners and countryside careerists have a chance to gain financial support while they study through an innovative Student Support Fund. But those land-lovers need to hurry as the closing date is end of this month.
The brainchild of Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, organisers of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, this fund, only in its second year, is specifically set up to support students entering into agricultural, horticultural, countryside and land-based industries.
It offers help with costs towards college or university course fees, books and equipment or even to help meet transport costs of getting to a place of study from a rural location.
Matthew Price, who was part of the team that launched the initiative, and Chair of the innovative said: “From my previous work in the NFU and roles as a governor of a land-based school and college, I know it’s frequently the case that financial restraints create barriers to students accessing and fulfilling education and training. The Student Support Fund sets out to ease those financial pressures by offering modest but worthwhile grants up to a maximum of £1500.”
He added: “I believe agriculture and the related land-based industries such as horticulture, forestry and environmental offer great career opportunities and deserve to attract the very best and enthusiastic talent to fill those opportunities.
“As we invite applicants for our second year of grant allocations we know from the experience we gained in the first year that we can make a very meaningful difference.”
Last year, the fund gave out £6000 in grants ranging from money for hard-cap boots and safety helmets to helping fund course tuition fees. The easy-to-complete applications must be submitted by 31st May via https://gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk/student-support-fund.
The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society raises money for this scheme with various fundraising events, not only through it’s events of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, Spring Countryside and this year, there’s a charity barn dance on Wednesday 10 August at Turnpike Showground.
Event Organiser & Company Secretary James Cox said: “People who attend our events help us to truly make a difference to someone’s education and future prospects by supporting us and therefore the Student Support Fund. The Fund is vital as we know that Rural livelihoods are crucial to our county.”
To apply for the Student Support Fund or to buy tickets for the Fund barn dance, contact the Show Office via or 01747 823955 or info@gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk