Young people working or studying in agriculture across Cheshire are being urged to apply now for a £4,000 travel scholarship, with just weeks remaining before the deadline.
The John Platt Travel Scholarship, delivered by Reaseheath College and University Centre in partnership with the Cheshire Agricultural Society Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CasCio), supports 18 to 35-year-olds to travel overseas and bring new ideas back to the county’s farming sector.
For almost two decades, recipients have used the funding to support trips that tackle real-world challenges facing the industry, ranging from studying disease control in Australia to exploring crop production in Brazil.
One scholar travelled to Australia to investigate how strict biosecurity measures are helping to control the spread of Johne’s disease, identifying practical steps that could be adopted on UK farms to improve herd health and productivity.
Another explored large-scale crop production in Brazil, examining how different farming methods and technologies could be used to improve efficiency and reduce soil compaction back home.
The scholarship has also supported projects closer to home in Cheshire and beyond traditional farming, including research into farm marketing and agritourism, helping rural businesses better engage with the public and diversify their income streams.
Last year’s recipient, Katy Richardson, is using the funding to tour calf and youngstock rearing units in the United States and Canada. Alongside studying for a degree in Sustainable Agriculture with Dairy Herd Management at Reaseheath, Katy works across several dairy and mixed farm businesses in Cheshire. Her project will focus on identifying new management practices and technologies that could be adapted for use in the UK, visiting a range of rearing units of different sizes and systems to gain practical, hands-on insight
Reaseheath Principal and CEO Marcus Clinton said: “This is about giving people the opportunity to step outside their day-to-day environment, challenge their thinking and bring back ideas that can make a real difference to the future of farming here in Cheshire.”
Applicants must submit a proposal outlining how their travel will benefit innovation and profitability within the county’s agricultural sector.
Applications close on Sunday 17 May 2026, with interviews taking place on Tuesday 2 June.
More information and application details are available at: reaseheath.ac.uk/john-platt-scholarship
