Harper Life 2019 - Alumni Magazine

Mike talks satsumas for BBC food show Mike Rudge, who studied BSc (Hons) Food and Consumer Studies at Harper Adams University, featured on the BBC’s Supermarket Secrets aired on 24th April. Mark now works for IPL International Procurement and Logistics as a technologist after graduating in 2015 and joining a graudate scheme with the same company. Mike is responsible for all technical elements of ASDA’s supply chain for whole head top fruit and citrus. He gave an insight into his day-to-day role as a technologist, starting with the moment fruit arrives in the packing facility and the processes it goes through. This time it was satsumas that had just arrived from South Africa, transported for 30 days by sea freight in chilled containers. Grad named Young Surveyor of the year REALM graduate Rachel Kirk, Senior Associate at Fisher German LLP in Chester won the Land (Rural & Urban) category at the RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards (YSOYA) 2018. Adam victorious in stockperson awards Adams Jones, from Llandysul, Ceredigion was named 2018 NFU Cymru / NFUMutual Welsh Dairy Stockperson of the Year in October 2018. Adam studied Agriculture at Harper Adams, graduating in 2000. Adamwas presented with the top prize of £500 and a Welsh slate engraved cheese board by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths. Mike in his student days Freddie Hammond One of the biggest challenges that agriculture faces today is attracting new blood and new ideas into the sector. Freddie Hammond, Harper Adams University alumnus and the Students’ Union President 2016/17, addressed this issue head-on by launching his new business, the Brewers’ Goose, with a Harper Adams Development Trust scholarship of £1000, to help encourage new young entrepreneurs in agriculture and food industries. “Young people’s access into the agri-food industry is still a huge issue which the industry needs to overcome,” said the 23-year-old. “I decided that even from small beginnings, my Brewers’ Goose venture can play its part in encouraging more young people into the sector.” The Brewers’ Goose Scholarship awarded £10 from every sale in its first year to a deserving Harper Adams graduate, who wanted take a similar path and start their very own business in the agri-food sector. Brewers’ Goose is a producer of free range geese, reared in the rural heartland of Leicestershire. Throughout the summer months, Freddie’s geese are freely grazed upon a grassy hillside before being supplemented with fresh brewers’ grains in the late-summer and autumn months. The first Brewers’ Goose scholar was Georgina Gater-Moore (pictured above with Fred), who graduated in 2019. She said: “Receiving this scholarship will allowme to invest in my fledgling business via funding the process of having my sheep fleeces spun into wool. Profits fromwool sales will then be further invested in the purchase of more ewes.” Jack Stillwell In his final year at university, Jack launched a crowdfunding bid in the hope that he would raise enough money to purchase cattle and rent some land. Ambitious for a then 23-year-old who was new to farming. The initial attempt didn’t bring the cash rolling in but it did push Jack into the media spotlight – which in turn attracted investors to give a leg-up to what is now Green Lanes Farming, a progressive beef company rearing around 5,000 calves every year. In 2018, Jack decided to use his success to give back to a Harper Adams student by offering a scholarship and placement. “Having been a scholar myself, I understand the advantages and benefits for both parties involved,” Jack adds. “Whilst wanting to give something back to the industry and help people reach their full potential, I am also looking to bring the best young brains into our organisation to grow and develop with us. “Mind-set and attitude are key. A willingness to work hard, constantly learn and embrace new thinking is a core principal of what we are about!” Alumni giving back through business scholarships