TV star gives agriculture students a helping hand

Two agriculture students have been given a helping hand to get into the industry by a Cotswolds TV star.

Rose Geggie, 20, and Rupert Jones, 19, both students at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), have been given £3,000 by Kaleb Cooper after struggling to break into the industry from non-farming backgrounds.

The Clarkson's Farm star will also give the pair the chance to apply for a work placement with him or one of his industry partners.

Mr Cooper said previous bursary recipients had set aside the money to start their own businesses, and get special vehicle training.

Miss Geggie grew up in Cheshire, and worked as a shepherd in North Yorkshire for two years after leaving college.

"It was the best two years of my life, I loved it," she said.

She was drawn to agriculture through her passion for sheep and lambing, and has some ideas on what to spend her bursary on.

"I think I'm going to put it towards a sheepdog," she said.

"It means a lot, I'm over the moon. I'm very grateful to Kaleb for everything."

Rupert Jones grew up in Bournemouth, and did not have any agricultural experience before university,

"I'd never stepped foot on a farm before," he said.

"I've always loved the idea of producing things and I've always grown vegetables at home and have animals, so coming here has been great."

Mr Jones said receiving the bursary had given him "a boost in inspiration" to continue his studies.

"It really opens a lot of doors for me and I think it will definitely help me get into the industry."

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