Two scholarship places for the Oxford Farming Conference in January are being offered by RHASS (Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland) as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting young people in agriculture.

The Oxford Farming Conference, which is a 3-day event and will be held 03-05 January, is recognised both nationally and internationally as a leading think tank for global agriculture. It gives those in agriculture and the land-based industries a fantastic opportunity to hear from inspiring and challenging speakers from across the world, and network with innovative farmers, industry leaders, press, politicians, retailers, environmentalists, scientists and NGOs.

Young people working in, or studying towards a career in, agriculture or the rural and land-based industries, are encouraged to apply by 14 November.

Sophie Brett, who attended the 2017 OFC as the successful RHASS applicant says, “This was an invaluable experience for me. I found the whole conference, and all of the speakers, hugely inspiring, and came away feeling enthusiastic and energised about the impact my work can have. It was thoroughly enjoyable and of immense benefit to me.”

“RHASS is delighted to be in a position to offer this amazing opportunity to attend this great industry event,” says RHASS Chief Executive Alan Laidlaw. “Heading into Scotland’s ‘Year of Young People’, this is a fitting way to start 2018.

“The theme of ‘Embracing Change’ promises to evoke some strong opinions and it’s critical that, for our industry to grow and prosper, we question its approach and its thinking. The conference offers an excellent platform for these discussions, and the successful candidates will be at the heart of some insightful and honest debates about what changes need to be made for the sector to progress – at a personal, family and business level.

“Speaking as a regular attendee, the OFC informs, challenges your thinking and inspires you to come away and improve. If you have any interest in our industry’s future success, and want to be part of that, I strongly encourage you to apply. Tickets are selling fast!”

The 2018 conference will tackle the difficult topics, such as addressing behavioural changes needed within family businesses and how digital disruption could step-change British farming into a new realm of possibilities.