The 2011 Guild training scheme winner was 18-year old Matthew Sharp from Northumberland, pictured below with runner-up Barbara Tremain and Peter Leech of John Deere.
Although Matthew was not employed in journalism at the time of the course he was an experienced writer, having been blogging for Farmers Weekly and Farmers Guardian since the age of 14. He helped set up The Young Northumbrian, a YFC county newsletter and annual magazine that he now edits, and is social networking co-ordinator for the Farming Online website, to which he contributes a column on his life at Newcastle University studying for an agriculture degree.
Matthew spent his work experience placement with Farmers Weekly, working at the Dairy Event & Livestock Show to research a prize-winning article on alternative sources of winter bedding published in the livestock section of the magazine.
The runner-up prize winner, Barbara Tremain, is a 51-year old horticulturalist from Cornwall. In 2011 she completed a BSc Hons Horticulture (top-up) course at Rosewarne Horticultural College in the county.
Barbara has had some experience with freelance journalism, writing about eco lifestyles and subjects since 2004; she has contributed to Cornwall Today, South West Connection and similar publications, and had a feature published during her course work placement with Amateur Gardening.
Read the two top articles here.
Peter Leech, John Deere’s European regional training manager and 2011 president of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), presented the awards at the Guild’s Harvest Lunch in London.
The judges were specialist training consultant and main course lecturer David Mascord, and the Press & Journal agriculture editor Joe Watson.
Both commented that the overall standard of entries was higher this year than it has been for some time: “A very competitive contest this year – and a far higher standard of entry,” said Joe. “The winner and runner-up articles were well written, well formulated and informative – captivating too.
“The spice garden entry certainly got my instant attention and drew me into it,” Joe added. “The overall winner brought a fresh view to a subject long written about in the farming media, but in an article that injected some new ideas and views into the debate on the use of alternative cow cubicle bedding materials.”
Work experience hosts this year were Amateur Gardening, Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer, Farmers Guardian, Farmers Weekly, 5M Publishing, The Garden, Gardens Illustrated and Horticulture Week.
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“Thank you for all the training, it really has been a fantastic learning opportunity and I have loved the experience. I now look forward to putting it to further good use.” – student.
Below: 2011 course members (left to right): Sarah Lewis, Jim Cable, Harriet Day (observer), Katie Benallick, Matthew Sharp, Calum Main, Helen Cork, Sue Oakey, Tom Laight, Barbara Tremain, Rhian Price.
Given the horticultural interest of several students, the Guild is indebted to Amateur Gardening, The Garden, Horticulture Week and pitchcare for giving students work experience opportunities, as well as The Farmers Club Journal, Farmers Guardian, Farmers Weekly Group and the RASE.
Winner Janie Caldbeck (37) received a cheque for £250, a framed certificate and trophy from Amateur Gardening news editor Kris Collins for an article about the new generation of green manure crops being developed for farmers. They may bring benefits for gardeners who grow vegetables organically.
John Deere Training Award runner-up Robert Duff (28) recently completed a foundation degree in Agricultural Management at Easton College, Norwich, having completed an NDA. He is working part-time at a dairy farm milking 100 Holstein-Friesian cows. He spent his work experience placement with Farmers Weekly and is looking for full-time work as an agricultural journalist.
Chris Lockwood recently completed a National Diploma in Agriculture course at Otley College, Ipswich and spent his work experience with Farmers Weekly.
Joe commented: "Both the winning entries stood out for me, in that they engaged me to the end. I favoured Charlotte’s piece on the basis that there was a degree of innovation, with an interesting use of the introductory quote."
