By Gordon Davidson From Scottish Farmer

ONE LUCKY agriculturalist will escape Scotland this November, to spend two weeks touring the food and farming industries of the Caribbean, courtesy of funding from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.

Applications are now open for this single funded place at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Next Generation Conference 2019, and the only obvious downside, to my eyes, is that eligibility is restricted to those 40 years and under at the time of application. Otherwise, anyone can apply, but a keen interest in farming and food – and a desire to learn lessons and use that knowledge back at home – is what the RHASS is looking for in their successful applicant.

The two-week trip will take place between November 8 and 22, this year, and will include visits to Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada.

The mission will focus on the agricultural industry across those islands, alongside their food and drink sectors, and is designed to give an insight into this important part of the Commonwealth, showcasing the challenging tropical environment.

The successful delegate will also visit The University of the West Indies, which has a world-renowned agriculture department, as well as visiting associated industries of food, drink and tourism.

RHASS chief executive Alan Laidlaw said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that RHASS is proud to support as it strives to champion innovation and young people in the industry. We are delighted to secure a space on this first ever RASC Next Generation trip to the Caribbean – good luck to all the applicants!”

Jenny McKerr, a previous RHASS funded Scholar added: “I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks on a mission to South Africa with RASC. Learning about farming in a different country was an eye opener, and I was inspired by the resilience shown by their farmers. I came home more determined to make our farm succeed and willing to do things differently, and I cannot encourage enough those who are thinking of applying to do so.”

Full details of the programme can be found at this LINK

Interested applicants should email [email protected] to ask for an application form, and will then be asked to submit a video, giving details on why the visit is important to them, and what they hope to get out of the visit.

Applications should then be returned to [email protected], with the subject line ‘RASC Conference’, by August 16, 2019.

You’ve got ten days. What are you waiting for?

For more on this story go to; https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/17819206.rhass-offers-one-lucky-youngster-two-weeks-caribbean—applications-open-now/