The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) has announced a raft of scholarships aiming to boost the career development of the county's budding farmers.

The four funding awards include a prestigious educational scholarship and the opportunity for three young professionals to attend a major industry conference.

Harry Barnett, a director at Holkham Emerald, a potato-growing enterprise on the Holkham Estate in north Norfolk, was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship sponsored by the RNAA and fast food chain McDonald's.

He will study the market and agronomic pressures facing the UK potato industry.

Mr Barnett said: "The Nuffield name holds prestige across world agriculture, and I am delighted to be awarded a scholarship.

"I hope the opportunity will add value to the potato sector and provide enhanced personal development. I cannot thank the RNAA enough for their support on making this journey possible."

Meanwhile three awards have been made with funding to attend the Oxford Farming Conference as part of the Norfolk Scholar Programme.

Eastern Daily Press: Flora Gregorie of H C Beales and Co has been awarded an RNAA scholarship to attend the Oxford Farming ConferenceFlora Gregorie of H C Beales and Co has been awarded an RNAA scholarship to attend the Oxford Farming Conference (Image: H C Beales and Co)

Recipients include Flora Gregorie, who works for contracting company H C Beales and Co based near Great Ellingham.

The former Norwich High School for Girls pupil hopes "to learn about the key issues in UK agriculture and the solutions to the problems we face as an industry".

Eastern Daily Press: Katie Crawford of Ceres Rural has been awarded an RNAA scholarship to attend the Oxford Farming ConferenceKatie Crawford of Ceres Rural has been awarded an RNAA scholarship to attend the Oxford Farming Conference (Image: Ceres Rural)

Katie Crawford, a former Langley School pupil who is a farming consultant with Ceres Rural in Poringland and farmer near Bungay, said she was "honoured" to receive the scholarship which had given her "an exciting opportunity to engage with leaders of the sector and network with the wider agricultural community”.

And Michael Lewis, a former Framingham Earl High School pupil from Brooke who is now a student at Harper Adams University, said he was "delighted" to be attending the conference. 

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Lewis has been awarded an RNAA scholarship to attend the Oxford Farming ConferenceMichael Lewis has been awarded an RNAA scholarship to attend the Oxford Farming Conference (Image: Michael Lewis)

RNAA managing director Mark Nicholas said: "We are delighted to be supporting these young people as they seek to develop their careers in agriculture in Norfolk.

"Our aspiration is to ensure that through providing grant funding and support, Norfolk is producing the best farmers possible."

Applications for a further award opportunity, the Bishop of Norwich Sustainable Environment Employee of the Year Award, will open in January 2023.

The RNAA has also recently announced a new Opportunities Fund to raise money for grants and bursaries for those studying and working in the land sector.

For more details see www.rnaa.org.uk/rnaa-opportunities-fund.