Success for students in Seventh NFU Agricultural Student of the Year competition

Success for students in Seventh NFU Agricultural Student of the Year competition

Andrew Doble, winner Jake Collier, Sam Wrixon, Madeleine Selby, NFU County Secretary Rupert Rees, NFU County Chairman, James Cossins, Matthew Holland from C&O Tractors.

The 7th year of the NFU Agricultural Student of the Year Competition at Kingston Maurward College resulted in a unanimous win for Jake Collier, with runners up Andrew Doble, Madeleine Selby and Sam Wrixon.

The Student of the Year Award was initiated in 2011 by the NFU in conjunction with C&O Tractors Ltd, who wanted to support a credible accreditation that would aid young farmers in their future careers.

The 12 participating second year Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture students, competed against one another in an intense day of tasks. These included livestock, machinery and estate skills tasks, a 50-question theory test. This was followed by an interview with a panel of judges including the NFU’s Rupert Rees, NFU County Chair, James Cossins, and C&O Tractors’ Matthew Holland.

Jake was presented with the bespoke trophy made for the competition in 2011 by Kingston Maurward resident blacksmith Simon Grant Jones. Jake’s prize is £250 worth of Massey Ferguson merchandise.

C&O Tractors Sales Manager, Matthew Holland, said: “Jake is a well deserving winner; a well-balanced student, with a clear outlook in life and a definite goals for the future. C&O Tractors are delighted to be continuing with our support of Kingston Maurward College and their agricultural students. This year we are very happy to bring Massey Ferguson into that relationship and we look forward to coming back next year to meet future generations of young farmers.”

Dorset NFU County Chairman, James Cossins, said: “The students are a very high standard – good students can slot straight into work at good farms having the right qualifications – and these students are testament to that.”

For more information about Agriculture courses at Kingston Maurward College go to kmc.ac.uk or call 01305 215215.