CARYL Lewis, from Llanfair Caereinion, has received a national award for her postgraduate agricultural studies from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

Caryl, who is studying a Masters in Agroecology, is one of four students from across the UK to receive a ‘Centenary Award’ bursary from The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

Caryl explained how the award will help her to achieve her ambitions: “It is a real honour to have NFU Mutual supporting my postgraduate studies. With increasing population, a global food supply shortage and a pressing concern around climate change, it has never been more important that policy and farmers move together towards a more sustainable stream of agriculture and to educate the public about how their food is being produced.”

Caryl’s interest in agriculture began at an early age through helping on the family farm. She said: “I come from a thriving rural community and my passion is to make a difference in agriculture.”

Caryl Lewis, who lives in Llanfair Caereinion, was selected for the award to support her Masters in Agroecology at Harper Adams University. Her course will enable a deeper understanding and appreciation of sustainable farming systems and the fundamental concepts of agroecology, including biodiversity, ecosystem services, and food security.

The Centenary Award was launched by the UK’s leading rural insurer NFU Mutual to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010. It provides annual bursaries to pay up to 75 per cent of course fees for selected postgraduate students in agriculture, and Caryl was one of only four students from across the UK to have been chosen for the award in 2019.

Jim McLaren, NFU Mutual chairman, said: “Our aim for the Centenary Award is to create a long-standing legacy whereby we can support research and innovation, and alongside this demonstrate our commitment to young people and the countryside.”

He added: “Students such as Caryl play a vital role in shaping the future of the agricultural industry. We are delighted to be supporting Caryl’s postgraduate studies and wish her all the very best for the future.”