THE Ken Thomas Charitable Trust is once again awarding bursaries to young agriculturalists in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
In 1980, The Huers Farming Club established a trust, in memory of former member Ken Thomas, to award bursaries to young agriculturalists, aged approximately 20 to 30 years, residing in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who might not otherwise have the means or the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and experience by travel.
Over the years numerous young people have benefited and have undertaken study trips to wide ranging areas including New Zealand, Australia, the USA, India, Japan, Hungary, Zambia, Brazil and areas closer to home.
The trust is however sadly not able to fund college or university fees or associated costs. For many years the late Ken Thomas, a founder member of The Huers Farming Club, farmed at Coswarth, near Newquay. In the tradition of the great agricultural improvers of the past, the research which he initiated and carried out continuously on his farms resulted in real technical progress.
Throughout his farming life Ken also maintained a special interest in the encouragement and education of young people in agriculture.
The bursaries normally assist with travel costs and other expenses directly relating to the proposed study project.
Many young people have been assisted and recent bursary recipients include Rewan Coad, from Cubert, who studied a range of agricultural systems in New Zealand and Sam Wheeler, from Truro, who undertook an externship studying equine insemination and embryo transfer in Belgium.
Very recently, Rory Pyper, who is currently based in the Isles of Scilly, has been successful in seeking support to in due course visit the US to study the conservation and commercial cultivation of ‘heritage’ apple varieties.
In addition to financial support, the Huers can often offer applicants a wealth of contacts and knowledge which can be invaluable in a new country.
Anyone wishing to travel to study an agricultural or horticultural subject and to bring that knowledge back to the area, that fits the criteria, can request an application form by emailing [email protected] or by calling 01208 815562.