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Harper Adams alumna Emily is AgriScot Business Skills winner

Posted 14 February 2022

Harper Adams alumna Emily Mosley has been named as the latest winner of the AgriScot Business Skills competition.

Emily Mosley , who studied BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management at the University, wins a £1000 prize in recognition of her success.

Originally from Derbyshire but now working as a Farm Administrator in Tain, she saw off stiff competition from her fellow finalists before being presented with the prize cheque courtesy of sponsors, NFU Mutual, as part of a special AgriScot awards ceremony. The ceremony was held live at Ingliston and livestreamed online to a viewing audience.

The final of the competition, which took place immediately before the prize giving, saw each of the finalists assess and report on an innovative new electrically powered telescopic handler from Merlo. Judges asked each to report on the potential value of the machine to a farm business.

Emily said: “I feel very privileged to have won the award and the £1000 is a fantastic bonus! It was a hard competition with an on farm semi-final and then an interview and presentation of the new Merlo e-worker telehandler range. 

 “We went to the semi-final on a farm at Laurencekirk and had to answer loads of questions. It was tough but an enjoyable experience.

“Today was also tough, daunting – a bit like Dragons Den; but I’m so glad to have come through.”

“Overall, it’s been a great experience and I have enhanced my CV. Today at the AgriScot awards has been a great, networking opportunity.”

Heather Kerr, a lecturer who co-ordinates the competition on behalf of the AgriScot team said: “Congratulations to Emily.”

“It was great to have such strong finalists for the competition. I am especially thrilled that they came from relatively diverse backgrounds in terms of their education and work experience.

“I know that the judges were impressed by the performance of all three in the final competition and I hope that the experience will stand them all in good stead in their future careers.  Well done to Emily for going that extra mile to secure the first prize.

“I would like to thank everyone involved throughout the various stages of the competition, from the farmer hosts of the regional heats to the judges and in particular to our mentors from RBS who supported the finalists all the way through and also, of course to our sponsors, NFU Mutual.”

Mark McBrearty, NFU Mutual Regional Manager also congratulated Emily.

He added: “The finalists all demonstrated a real flare for both practical farming expertise and business knowledge. It was great to see such a high calibre of entries and congratulations to Emily for taking the top prize.

“As the insurer of three quarters of the UK’s farms, NFU Mutual understands the important role young people have to play in the farming sector. These young people are the future of our industry and, by encouraging and rewarding their efforts, we hope we can help them make a difference not only to themselves but also within our farming and rural communities.”

Since completing her studies at Harper Adams last year, Emily has not only won the AgriScot Prize but also been a finalist at the 2021 Pinnacle awards in London – as well as moving up to Scotland to take up her new role.

She added: “It has been a big change moving up to Fearn Farm in the Scottish Highlands with home being around nine hours away.

“The culture, farming and lifestyle is different to those in England - but is a great learning curve and is allowing me to broaden my knowledge of the agricultural sector- and I would recommend students to venture across the border, either with placement opportunities or graduate jobs.”

Emily –who is dyslexic - praised the learning support services at Harper Adams for helping set her on her award-winning path.

She said: “Harper has been a great experience - one I will never forget.

“The main thing that drew me to the University was the Harper farm - and the learning support team, which I can say is second to none.

“I think the other big thing Harper has to offer is the placement year - as I don’t think I would be where I am without it, as I had a year's experience in Farm Administration with Berryfields’ Farms before entering the industry for full time employment.”