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Graduate planning to transform Shetland farming named Farmers Weekly Ag Student of the Year

Posted Today

A graduate who aims to transform farming on the Shetland Islands has been named Farmers Weekly’s Agricultural Student of the year.

Emma Burgess, whose family farm is in Quendale, chose to study at Ãå±±½ûµØ, 650 miles south, to gain knowledge and skills which would help her reshape farming practices back home.

The farm has 130 dairy cows and 1000 breeding ewes – but Emma believes the distance of the islands from the mainland has reduced the opportunities available.

She told Farmers Weekly: “I really believe it was important for me to go away and bring back new ideas and knowledge, not just for my benefit but to help, teach and create opportunities for our young staff and young farmers.”

In her time at Harper Adams, Agriculture graduate Emma made sure to make the most of every chance.

She secured a Country Land and Business Association Charitable Trust Scholarship through the University’s Development Trust, travelling to New Zealand to take up a placement with a high-performance cattle genetics firm.

While at University, Emma was also diagnosed with both dyspraxia and dyslexia – and was given one-to-one help by the University’s Learner Support team.

She added: “It was a hard decision to move so far away to study, but Harper supported the jump between my education back home in the Shetlands and University - and has provided a vast scale of opportunity in the classroom and out, not only academically, but socially too.”

Emma graduated just two weeks ago, and since completing her studies, has taken on a wide range of responsibilities within the family business. She has helped shape the operation of the creamery as well as managing planning, staffing, and customer relationships.

Judges at the awards, held last night in the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, were impressed at how positively her time at University had changed Emma’s outlook.

They said: “Leaving Shetland to study agriculture transformed Emma’s confidence and leadership.

“She is returning with the skills, ambition and experience to strengthen her family’s business and help shape the future of farming across the islands.”

Emma was nominated for the award alongside her coursemate Betty Battarbee – and both students have also been nominated in the same category at the British Farming awards in two weeks’ time.

Speaking after her win, a shocked Emma said: “I just came to enjoy the experience – and I never really believed I could win - but it's such an honour!”

Course Manager for Agriculture Louisa Dines added: “Emma has taken every opportunity inside and outside of the classroom and grown so much in her time at Harper - and is very deserving of this award.

“She is motivated by wanting to develop the farm at home in the Shetlands and I very much look forward to following her progress!”