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In 2010, the bursaries attracted submissions from students from diverse backgrounds many of whom benefited from the financial incentives and assistance provided by the bursary programme.
Thomas Henry Foundation Bursary
 Andrew Laughlin, HND Agriculture, receives his award from Keith Willis of the Thomas Henry Foundation
Andrew is from an organic farm at Kilrea County Londonderry, and is a former pupil of Ballymena Academy. He has just completed the first year of the HND in Agriculture. He comments, “It was great to receive a £1,000 bursary from the Thomas Henry Foundation. I’m off to New Zealand in June on work placement and I will use the money to assist with my travel costs.”
Having been brought up on a large organic dairy farm, Andrew was particularly keen to learn about dairy production in a different environment. During his work placement in New Zealand, he will be working on a large dairy unit in North Island.
In his spare time, Andrew helps out on the family’s mixed farm which consists of dairying, cereals and potatoes. He is also a member of Kilrea YFC, enjoys playing football and fishing in the River Bann near his home.
Ulster Farmer's Union Bursary
 William Beattie, BSc Agricultural Technology, receives his award from Harry Sinclair of the Ulster Farmers' Union
William Beattie, from a beef and sheep farm near Ballymoney, received a £1,000 bursary from the Ulster Farmers’ Union. William, a former pupil of Dalriada Grammar School, is currently studying for a BSc in Agricultural Technology. He comments, “I’m really grateful to the Ulster Farmers’ Union for giving me this flying start to my higher education. I live at home and used the bursary to help with the travelling expenses to Greenmount.”
William chose the BSc Agricultural Technology programme because of its business and practical focus as he hopes to return home to manage the family farm in partnership with his father on completion of his degree.
William is an active member of Finvoy Young Farmers’ Club. In addition to working on the home farm, he works for a local round bale contracting business.
Ulster Grassland Society Bursary
 Marcus Berry, HND Agriculture, receives his bursary from George Reid of the Ulster Grassland Society
Marcus Berry from Banbridge has just completed the first year of the HND in Agriculture. In October 2010, he was awarded a £1,000 bursary from the Ulster Grassland Society. He also attended the Society’s spring conference at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, Balmoral.
Marcus comments, “I am extremely grateful to the Ulster Grassland Society for giving me this financial support. I hope to go to America this autumn to work on a large dairy unit and the bursary will be used to fund this visit. I also enjoyed the experience of attending the Society’s conference in February. I had never attended an event like this before and I certainly learned a lot from the speakers.”
Marcus works part-time on his family’s beef and sheep farm and takes a special interest in the pedigree Limousins and Charolais sheep. He is also an active member in Annaclone and Magherally YFC and plays rugby for Banbridge RFC.
John Thompson and Sons Bursary
 Paul McElroy, BSc Agricultural Technology, receiving his Bursary Award
Paul, from Eglish, County Tyrone, is a past pupil of St Patrick’s Grammar School Armagh, and has just complete first year of the BSc Agricultural Technology programme. He received his bursary from John Thompson and Sons in October 2010. Paul comments, “The cost of studying has been increasing particularly due to the rise in tuition fees. Some of my bursary was used to help pay for my accommodation at Greenmount and I purchased a laptop as well. I am very thankful for this support provided by John Thompson and Sons. This bursary has really made a difference.”
At the weekends, Paul helps on the family’s mixed farm and precision engineering business. He is also currently employed part-time on a local dairy and beef farm. Paul has achieved many honours in Gaelic football both at school and for his local club. He has particular interests in fundraising for charity and worked in orphanages and hospitals in Romania.
Northern Ireland Institute of Agriculture Science Bursary
 James Magee, HND Agriculture, receives his bursary award from Ian McCluggage of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science
James, from Kilwaughter County Antrim, is studying for a Higher National Diploma in Agriculture. He was delighted to receive the bursary from the Northern Ireland Institute of Agriculture Science Bursary in the first year of his course. He comments, “It’s very encouraging that the Institute are willing to support young people embarking on a career in the land-based sector. I am going to New Zealand in August on work placement and I’ve been saving my bursary to help cover the expenses of this trip.”
On his return from New Zealand, James will be addressing the Institute on this life-changing experience, which will include details of his work on a large dairy unit. In his spare time, James works on the family farm, which includes dairy, beef and sheep enterprises. He also enjoys playing rugby and football.
Northern Bank Bursary
 Amanda Dunn, BSc Agricultural Technology, receives her bursary Award from John Henning and Roberta Armstrong of the Northern Bank Ltd.
Amanda is from Brookeborough County Fermanagh, and has just completed first year of the BSc in Agricultural Technology offered in partnership between CAFRE and Queen’s University Belfast. She is a former pupil of Fivemiletown College, and from an early age was always keen to pursue a career in agriculture.
Amanda was awarded her bursary from the Northern Bank and used the money to help pay university tuition fees.
John Henning, Head of Agri-business at the Northern Bank, said, “By supporting a student at Greenmount, our bank is making a small but important contribution to ensuring the continued supply of professional managers to the industry. We wish Amanda well in her programme.”
This summer Amanda is working on a large dairy goat farm outside Brookeborough. On completion of her degree, Amanda would like to pursue a career within the animal nutrition industry.
Dunbia Bursary
 Owen Carragher, BSc Agricultural Technology, receiving his bursary award from Dunbia
Owen, from Cullyhanna County Armagh, is studying for a BSc in Agricultural Technology. A former pupil of the Abbey Grammar School Newry, Owen received the £1,000 bursary from Dunbia in the first year of his degree. He said, “In addition to providing a written report for the bursary competition, I was also interviewed by senior Dunbia personnel. Although daunting at the time, I found this a very worthwhile experience.
Thus, the bursary scheme extends beyond the financial support and gives students opportunities to form links with potential employers. Dunbia has also offered me work placement options.”
Owen plays an active role in managing the home farm beef finishing enterprise. He has particular interests in showing both commercial and pedigree cattle. Sporting interests include Gaelic football and he currently has a part-time job in Newtownhamilton Livestock Market. On completing his degree, Owen is keen to pursue a career within the red meat industry.
Moy Park Bursary
 Craig Anderson, HND Agriculture, receives his bursary award from John Harrison and Kristen Wilson of Moy Park
Craig, from Lifford in County Donegal, has just completed first year of the Higher National Diploma in Agriculture. He attended the Royal and Prior School Raphoe. At weekends, Craig works on the family beef and sheep farm, and particularly enjoys all aspects of marketing the finished lambs and cattle. In 2010, Craig was awarded a £1,000 bursary from Moy Park after completing a report on the challenges and opportunities facing the Northern Ireland poultry industry. In addition, he successfully completed an interview with personnel from the company.
Craig comments, “I’m very grateful to Moy Park for providing me with this bursary. I would encourage all first year students hoping to study on a higher education programme at Greenmount to compete for a bursary – it really makes a difference!”
Tyrone Farming Society Bursary
 Cathal Harkin, BSc Agricultural Technology, receiving his Bursary Award
Cathal is from a large sheep farm near Dunamanagh County Tyrone. He received a £1,000 bursary from the Tyrone Farming Society in his first year of the BSc Agricultural Technology programme. To show his appreciation for the bursary, Cathal helped with the arrangements for 2011 Omagh Show in July. He assisted with the organisation of the sheep showing and on show day was a steward for some the sheep classes. Cathal comments, “There certainly is a lot of work and commitment involved in running an agricultural show. The bursary I received from the Society helped pay my university tuition fees. I was delighted that I could offer some help at the show.”
Cathal, a past pupil of the Christian Brothers’ School Omagh, has particular interests in sheep breeding and is actively involved in the management of the family’s Blackface sheep flock. After completing his degree, he would like to find employment in an animal breeding company but eventually hopes to return home to the family farm.
AI Services Bursary Nathan Johnston, first year Foundation Degree in Horticulture receives his Bursary Award
Nathan has just completed a successful first year on the Foundation Degree in Horticulture, and is now in Ukraine on work experience. He is working for Armagh based firm Clive Richardson who specialise in Sportsground Construction and Civil Engineering and have just won a large contract in the Ukraine.
Nathan was pleased to get his £1000 bursary from AI Services Ltd and has used this towards his term time travel costs. Travel appears to feature prominently for Nathan, as when he was a pupil of Royal School Armagh, he was in the 1st XV Rugby team, travelling to Australia on tour. As part of a farming family Nathan has also travelled to see new developments in agronomy and plant breeding in research stations in the USA, and closer to home has worked in a crop production business and a retail business. However, his main interest is Technology hence he has been very happy with the opportunities the CAFRE course offers to keep aware of current developments and develop his machinery experience.
David Colegrave Bursary Jonathan Beckett, First Year Foundation degree in Horticulture receives his Bursary Award
Jonathan was grateful to David Colegrave Foundation for the bursary, as this helped him with travel and accommodation costs. Jonathan has been studying on the first year Foundation degree in Horticulture. Jonathan is interested in plant production and was actively involved in producing crops at the Horticulture Development Centre at CAFRE. These plants were used for theCAFRE stands at Hillsborough Show this June, andJonathan was delighted to be part ofan award winning team of FdSc students who received a Gold Award for their themed display in the Grower’s Pavilion. Jonathan has continued to develop his interest in crop production and is currently on work experience with Dundonald Nursery, a company with over 2 acres of glasshouses which produces, wholesales and retails bedding plants, trees and shrubs.
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