Students of agriculture, forestry, horticulture or any closely allied topic who live within a 12-mile radius of Melplash could be eligible for a bursary up to £1,500 a year.
The Melplash Agricultural Society offers annual grants to local students aged 17 years and over who are planning to pursue courses in subjects connected to agriculture. Bursary applications for 2018 are now open. The closing date for applicants is 1 July.
In 2017 the bursary was awarded to twelve local students. Five of them – Georgia Pagett, David Persey, Sam Norman, Eliot Jones and Emily Julier – have already received bursaries and the society was able to contine to support them.
The others were Lexie Jefford, studying Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management Level 3 at Kingston Maurward; Isobel Farquarson, who doing a Foundation Degree in Agriculture at Aberystwyth University; Hannah Bowden, who is studying Extended Diploma Level 3 in Agriculture at Hartpury College; Georgia Down, who is studying for Foundation degree in Agriculture at Harper Adams University; Lindsey Johnson , who is at Harper Adams University studying Agriculture with Farm Business Management; George Layton, who is studying a Foundation degree in Countryside Management at Harper Adams University, and Robert Honeybun who is studying for a Diploma in Agriculture Level 3.
George Rendell, Director, Melplash Agricultural Society said: “The Society sees encouraging youngsters into agriculture as a major responsibility.
“The bursaries are offered as an incentive and to add a little impetus to students who might otherwise not elect to follow a path into this very competitive and financially challenging world.
“We hope to help them go on to lead fulfilling careers and ultimately contribute to the local economy.”
To apply for the Bursary Award please download the application form or call the society office on 01308 423337. Completed forms should be returned to the Society Offices at 23 South Street, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NT, by 1 July.
Financial support will be extended throughout the successful student’s course, provided that he/she receives a satisfactory annual report from his/her college or university. Those eligible to apply must live within a 12-mile radius of Melplash.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide scholastic and personal references and will be interviewed in early summer so that finance can be in place for the next academic year. The successful candidate is presented with the Bursary Award at the annual Melplash Agricultural Society Show.
Financial support is also available from Dorset Community Foundation. Dorset Community Foundation, through its Education Fund supports Dorset residents between the ages of 16-21 through bursaries of up to £1,000. The applicants must be in looking to start or continue their education, apprenticeship and/or training.
They will also need to fulfil certain eligibility criteria. Students must apply directly to the student finance department at the college or through their apprenticeship provider. For more details please visit www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org
