The Ken Thomas Charitable Trust is offering funding for young people from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to travel to study an agricultural or horticultural subject and bring that knowledge back to the area.

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.

In 1980 his friends and colleagues in The Huers established a trust fund. The trustees award bursaries to young agriculturalists, aged approximately 20 – 30 years, residing in the County of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who might not otherwise have the means or the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and experience by travel.

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The bursaries normally assist with travel costs and other expenses directly relating to the proposed study project. Over the years numerous young people have benefitted, 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.

Many young people have been assisted and one recent bursary recipient was Will James, from Feock, who undertook a period of veterinary work experience in Cairns in Australia.

In November 2018, Nicola Chegwidden, from Summercourt, benefitted from support from the Trust which enabled her to attend the 28th Commonwealth Agriculture Conference in Edmonton, Canada.

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. After all, it’s the people you meet and the friends you make that so often prove to be the best and most beneficial aspect of international travel and study.

Application forms can be requested by emailing info@royalcornwall.co.uk or by calling 01208 815562.

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