Bursary scheme offers use of a Land Rover for a year

Young people aged between 21 and 35 can apply for the free use of a Land Rover for a year to support their business or career development.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund Land Rover Bursary was set up in 2013 to help support young people who live and work in the countryside.

Each year it offers five young people the use of either a Land Rover Discovery Sport or Discovery Commercial to help support their development in farming or a related profession.

See also: Read more agricultural careers advice from Farmers Weekly

The winners are responsible for the costs of running the vehicle and for normal wear and tear, but Land Rover pays for insurance.

This year, in recognition of the need to encourage more new entrants into farming, the bursary will focus on applications where the vehicle will be used to help complete day-to-day work or project-related tasks.

Entrants will be asked to demonstrate how the use of a Land Rover will help to support their career development, for example, because there is a need to access remote or challenging terrain, or pull a trailer or heavy machinery between locations.

Previous winners

The winners in 2017 included Jenny Dunstan of Jenny’s Beef, which sells high-quality boxed beef, and Lucy and Chris Williams, who are setting up a Scottish tea company, Tulloch Tea, in addition to creating a range of tea-infused beauty products.

Other recipients included suckler cow producer James Speers, who was also working to raise awareness about the issues surrounding mental health and safety in the community as part of his role as president of the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster.

Applicants must fill out an application form, available on the Prince’s Countryside Fund website, and send a short supporting video.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 30 April.