Bicton College Student Scoops Top South West Agricultural Award – What’s Next For Tia?

A young farmer from Bicton College has been named Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year.

Tia Whitrow earned the prestigious title after impressing judges with her ambition and passion for the industry. She was selected from a pool of bursary students across the South West and will now receive funding to attend a leading agricultural event of her choice.

A Promising Future in Farming

Growing up on a family farm and actively involved in Young Farmers, Tia stood out to judges for her drive to expand her knowledge of agriculture. In addition to the award, she was also granted a Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Further Education bursary of £500 to help with costs linked to her Level 2 course in Agriculture.

Speaking after the announcement, Tia said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to have won the award. Being recognised as the South West Agricultural Student of the Year is a huge confidence boost, and it’s strengthened my determination to meet my goals.”

She added:

“My long-term ambition is to expand and develop the family farm to make it resilient for the future. Winning the bursary will help me invest in resources and learning experiences that prepare me to take a more active role in the business. I’m also hoping to expand my knowledge of showing and stock judging, and I would love to spend some time in New Zealand to gain more experience of different farming systems.”

📷Tia Whitrow (L) with Jeremy Oatey (R), Cornish Mutual Chairman

Standing Out From the Crowd

Tia’s success came after impressing a panel of judges, which included Cornish Mutual Chief Executive Officer Peter Beaumont.

Peter said:

“Among this year’s exceptional bursary recipients, Tia stood out for her determination to not only progress her family farm, but also to have a positive impact on the wider industry. Her commitment to building her knowledge and skillset is admirable, and I’m sure she has a bright future ahead.”

Supporting the Next Generation

Tia was chosen from the 2024 bursary recipients, in what was a record year for entries. Cornish Mutual’s Young Farmer Bursaries offer financial support to agricultural students in the South West. The bursaries include four Further Education Bursaries of £500 and two Higher Education Bursaries of £750.

The bursaries are part of Cornish Mutual’s Future Farming Programme, which is dedicated to supporting the future of agriculture in the region.

📷Tia Whitrow, Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year