East Anglian farmers awarded Nuffield Farming Scholarships

The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) has announced the appointment of the 2023 Nuffield Farming Scholars, two of whom are from East Anglia.

Harry Barnett runs a potato growing enterprise on the Holkham Estate in North Norfolk, growing approximately 420 hectares of potatoes annually. Specialising in salad varieties for the pre-pack and export market, he has a keen interest in making the business more competitive and reducing risk. For his topic, Harry will learn how UK potato growers can counteract the agronomic and market challenges they are facing. He will focus on options for grower marketing strategies and managing potatoes as part of a regenerative agriculture system.

Dr Thomas Pearson has 17 years’ experience practicing medicine and spent seven years transitioning his family’s Cambridgeshire arable farm to the use of regenerative practices. As part of the conversion, he hosts a market garden that has given him insight into the value of opening the farm to local residents to encourage interaction and education. This has led to an interest in bridging the gap between agriculture and health. His Scholarship will explore how farmers can make a positive impact on the health of their local community, including improved diets and mental and physical health.