NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARS – AN OVERVIEW

About this web site

This is the International web site of countries participating in the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Scheme. All scholars reports (2006 onwards), upcoming events related to the Nuffield scholarship scheme, other general items of information and links to localised Nuffield web sites, are now listed on this site.

Nuffield Farming Scholars – a background

(A more complete history of Lord Nuffield can be found on this link)

In the aftermath of the Second World War Lord Nuffield, Industrialist and Philanthropist, initiated a travelling scholarship scheme for British and Empire farmers, in recognition of their contribution to feeding the nation through the war, and as a method of advancing the best agriculturalist practice around the world.

The first 2 scholars were selected in 1947. Jane Kenyon and Edward Stokes from the UK paved the way for some 1000 scholars from eight participating countries that have since travelled the world studying the best agricultural practice wherever it may be. From Brussels to Washington, the paddy fields of Asia and the fantastically productive farmlands in the America’s, to the most sophisticated and technologically advanced farming in the other parts of the world, Nuffield scholars have created an unrivalled network of Agriculturalists that, worldwide, are at the leading edge of their profession.

Each year, the 7 countries now participating in the scheme, award a total of approximately 50 scholarships to young agriculturalists. Their first engagement is the Contemporary Scholars Conference – an opportunity to meet and network with all newly selected scholars from around the world, and an opportunity to gain an understanding of agriculture of the host nation – the Netherlands in 2006, Canada and in 2008, Australia.

The great challenge of the coming century will be supplying the rapidly increasing demand for food, not only in quantity, but meeting the demands of an increasingly quality and environmentally conscious world. This is occurring at a time when around the Western world, because of half a century of declining margins, there has been an exodus of human capital from all sectors agriculture. Student numbers have dropped, Research and Development is in decline and there is a diminishing number of farmers.

The human Capital issue within agriculture is potentially the greatest barrier the West now faces in meeting the demands from agriculture that this new century will require. Nuffield, worldwide, is uniquely placed, and has an unrivalled programme, to assist in meeting the challenges in the years ahead.

Nuffield scholars at a gathering in the USA. A benefit of a Nuffield Scholarship is the opportunity to travel and gain firsthand knowledge of farming methods in other countries.		Nuffield organizes regular conferences where industry representatives are invited to speak on new ideas and innovations.
The Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust thanks the Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust for its generous contribution towards the setup and maintainance of this web site.