17 December 2009

Alan Thompson, from Randalstown, was recently awarded a £1,000 bursary from John Thompson and Sons Ltd at the Greenmount Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).  Alan has just commenced the BSc Agricultural Technology course offered in partnership between CAFRE and Queen’s University, Belfast.

Alan was delighted to receive the support from a major animal feed compound business. He said, “This bursary is a great boost at the start of my degree education and it is very encouraging that John Thompson and Sons is willing to invest in young people embarking on a career in agriculture. This award will allow me to fully participate in all the opportunities on offer at Greenmount.”

At the presentation ceremony, Jonathan McCaughan, ruminant specialist for John Thompson and Sons, congratulated Alan on his thought-provoking report which was entitled “Challenges and Opportunities for the Northern Ireland Dairy Industry”.  In his spare time Alan works on the family’s beef finishing farm, enjoys playing football and has been involved in a community youth project.

Bursaries are offered on a competitive basis to first year students in Higher Education at Greenmount, the main criterion for the award is the assessment of a report, the title of which is provided by the industry sponsor.

Greenmount student Alan Thompson (centre), Randalstown, receiving a £1,000 bursary from Jonathan McCaughan (left), John Thompson and Sons Ltd.  Also pictured is Mr John Fay, College Director, CAFRE