Farmers Weekly Awards 2026: Ag Student of the Year

Emma Burgess, from Quendale, Shetland, is the winner of the Farmers Weekly 2026 Ag Student of the Year award.

She farms alongside her father on the south side of the Shetland Islands, where they run both a sheep and dairy enterprise and the island’s creamery.

With Shetland lying 220 miles from mainland Britain, she says farmers often miss out on opportunities available elsewhere.

See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Ag Student of the Year finalists

“The island can be very traditional, with the same methods being followed for decades,” she says.

When Emma was born, the islands had 12 dairy farms; today just two remain.

Recognising the family business needed to evolve, she took a lambing job in England aged 17, despite doubts from those around her.

The experience ultimately led her to study agriculture at Harper Adams University.

Academic progress

Emma arrived at Harper determined not simply to gain a degree, but to acquire knowledge she could take back to Shetland.

“I really wanted to have the resources to learn all about different sectors in the industry to bring back home.”

Diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia during her second year, Emma received weekly one-to-one support and saw her academic performance improve significantly.

Farm Business proved particularly valuable, giving her financial skills she now applies at home.

“With barely being able to work a spreadsheet, now having the ability to understand and draw up farm accounts at home – it’s a huge difference.”

Her fourth-year business report scored 64%, placing her in the top 10 of her cohort.

Lecturer Russell Readman says Emma has always been driven to improve the home farm rather than simply earn a degree.

“Emma inspires others and pushes out of her comfort zone. She wants the whole experience,” he says.

Broader horizons

A placement year at an Angus stud in New Zealand further shaped Emma’s ambitions, particularly after witnessing poor treatment of young agricultural workers.

“How can we expect to encourage young people into the industry if we don’t treat them right and provide them with the opportunity to grow?” she says.

Alongside studying, Emma has taken on greater responsibility within the family business, including planning, staffing, customer relationships and creamery operations.

She has also played rugby in New Zealand, at Harper Adams and in Shetland, which she credits with strengthening her communication and leadership skills.

Bringing knowledge home

Emma now wants to improve efficiency within the family dairy, producing more milk from fewer cows, while introducing cropping practices to improve soil health.

She also hopes to make creamery packaging more sustainable and create better training opportunities for young people on Shetland.

“I really believe it was important for me to go away and bring back new ideas and knowledge, not just for my benefit but to help, teach and create opportunities for our young staff and young farmers.”

What the judges say

“Leaving Shetland to study agriculture transformed Emma’s confidence and leadership. She is returning with the skills, ambition and experience to strengthen her family’s business and help shape the future of farming across the islands.”