Farmers Weekly Awards 2025: Ag Student of the Year

George Elliott, from Boylestone, Derbyshire, is the winner of Farmers Weekly Awards 2025 Ag Student of the Year.

Entering the world of work for a few years before starting university has given George Elliott a clear vision for the future. Having already worked in a few different fields, he knows exactly what he wants from his career.

See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2025 Ag Student of the Year finalists

This clarity has helped him select relevant modules throughout university and pursue a dream placement that gave focus to his fourth year.

As a new entrant to agriculture, with his sights set on working in the industry from a very young age, he has had to work consistently hard to gain experience.

Proactivity and passion

George made the most of “any opportunity to meet people or get somebody’s time” while at Harper Adams.

He approached tutors to learn more and rang people up for help or advice. He made contacts through his Young Farmers’ Club and the rural community in Derbyshire to secure local jobs and work experience.

George was “shy” at school, but he has seen huge personal growth while at uni.

Dr Russell Readman, his final year course tutor, describes him as capable, entrepreneurial and extremely personable.

George’s entrepreneurial skills can be seen in his buying, selling and restoring of tractors, which he has done since the age of 15.

Once he passed his tractor test, he began looking for weekend and school holiday work opportunities, including topping and haymaking services for local horse owners.

Outside of lectures and seminars, George got stuck into life at Harper, including playing piano at university events, weddings and fundraisers, and auctioneering at charity auctions he organised.

Hunger to learn

He spent his third year in the machinery sector.

“I was honoured to secure the JCB Year in Industry Placement and Scholarship,” George says.

He has since begun full-time employment with the business as an agricultural sales engineer.

“George’s hunger to learn and ability to ask questions was a great asset and helped him gain a great experience, but also contribute towards the smooth running of the ag department,” says Greg Fitton, general manager of Fastrac sales at JCB.

Excellent work

George is passionate about “leveraging technology to create resilient and future-proof farming systems”.

His honours research project (HRP) looked at the uses of telematics in UK agriculture.

HRP supervisor David White, senior lecturer in engineering, says: “George had to produce and submit two industry-related placement assignments, which I marked; both were excellent pieces of work.”

He describes George as hard-working, dedicated and self-motivated – all skills he will need to pursue future plans, which include a master’s degree and a Nuffield Scholarship, alongside his full-time job.

George is excited about the possibilities of precision agriculture and the travel his career will offer him, allowing him to experience agriculture around the world.

What the judges say

“George has worked tirelessly to gain relevant work experience and succeed academically. His passion and focus have secured him a great degree and sought-after job, and will help him achieve ambitious future goals”