OMSCo ANNOUNCES EDUCATIONAL BURSARY TO SUPPORT YOUNG ORGANIC DAIRY FARMERS
This press release was posted on : 24th April 2007
OMSCo, the Organic Milk Suppliers’ Cooperative, has announced that it is offering an educational bursary to young organic dairy farmers, for the second year running. The bursary, intended to support those looking to gain further education qualifications in the agricultural sphere, is available to OMSCo members, their immediate families, and employees on OMSCo farms. OMSCo is offering up to £5,000 per year, to be awarded following careful consideration of individual cases.
Rosie Palmer, Marketing Manager for OMSCo, commented, “We launched the first ever bursary scheme last year and it was extremely successful. It enabled us to support four young farmers in their agricultural studies and help further their careers in organic farming. We hope that this year’s bursary scheme will again provide an incentive for young people to follow a career in organic agriculture.”
Last year’s successful applicants were William Willis, Richard Giles, Robert Allen and George Steer. The financial support they received enabled them to follow a variety of courses from Foundation to BSC degrees in agriculture.
Rosie continues, “We value our members and recognise that, with the current state of the British dairy market, there is little incentive to enter the industry. We are aware it is vital to attract new, younger entrants into organic dairy farming if we are to secure a sustainable future for the sector. The bursary is an important step in OMSCo’s continuing investment in the long-term future of the British organic dairy industry.”
Those wishing to apply for the OMSCo bursary need to contact OMSCo on 01934 511115 to obtain an application form. Alternatively it can be downloaded via the website www.organicmilk.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 1 July 2007. There will be no limit to the number of bursaries awarded within the £5,000 limit. Cases will be judged on an individual basis, although priority will be given to those hoping to study for a practical agricultural qualification.
ENDS
For more information, or to arrange an interview with an OMSCo spokesperson call Kirsty Gyton, Emily Enright or Abby Richardson at Grayling on 0117 922 7799
OMSCo was formed in 1994 when five like-minded
organic dairy farmers joined forces to sell their organic milk. Now with around 500 members, OMSCo is the largest and longest established UK organic milk supplier.