A student from Duchy College has won the 2019 West Country Dairy Award, walking away with the top prize of £2000 cash to spend on training and development.
Degree student, Sophie Bould-Lynch, 21, from Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton was 1 of 33 applicants who were interviewed at county level with the top four chosen to progress to the final interview.
Sophie had to demonstrate commitment to the dairy industry and show aptitude to ‘add value’ to the industry to the panel of industry expert judges.
Judge, Julie Edwards, Mole Valley Farmers’ head of agricultural marketing and communications was “blown away” by Sophie’s enthusiasm.
“You get the impression that Sophie lives and breathes farming,” she said.
“The industry is reliant on young people with enthusiasm and passion like Sophie – well done!”
Sophie said she was “a bit shocked to hear that I had won”.
“I am very pleased and grateful and the money will come in very handy as I think up-skilling is very important and have already self-funded numerous courses including first aid, spraying and artificial insemination,” she added.
Course manager, Jurie Intachat, said Sophie has “done an outstanding job”.
“We are extremely proud of her achievements,” she said.
“The West Country Dairy Awards are a prestigious award and to beat 32 other applicants is no mean feat. Students benefit a great deal from participating in such competitions.”
For more information on the range of agricultural courses available across The Cornwall College Group visit www.duchy.ac.uk or call 0845 60 50 455.
