Jack Sadler, a member of our Kent committee, has been selected as one of the final four candidates to be named Agricultural Student of the Year when it is announced at the British Farming Awards in October.
Organisers say that each of the finalists has proven themselves to be committed, self-motivating and fuelled by a passion to successfully progress in the industry, and this is certainly the case for Jack. Having grown up in a non-farming background in Macclesfield, Jack put his biology degree to good use by taking on a postgraduate course in rural estate and land management at Harper Adams University. He’s not resting on his laurels either, also working full-time as a graduate rural surveyor with CLM and setting up a 24-hectare farm with his partner Alice.
The combined passion for science and good land management drew him to become a member of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, where he recently became part of the charity’s Kent committee. “I have always been appreciative of the research that the GWCT undertake”, says Jack. “This year I joined the Kent committee of the GWCT with the aim of arranging and helping with fundraising events in the region, whilst also increasing awareness of the vital work the GWCT do in supporting farmers and those involved in country pursuits.”
He is already putting evidence-based best practice into action, replacing 2km of old scrubby hedging with a native mix of hawthorn, blackthorn, maple, hazel and bird cherry hedging chips. Despite his approach and passion for conservation-friendly management, Jack is pleasantly surprised to be shortlisted: “I really didn’t expect to get this far so I’m very proud to make the final four. The past two years have been a steep learning curve both academically through university and at home on the farm, but I’ve enjoyed learning about all aspects of farm and land management so really looking forward to the next couple of years of learning and hopefully leaving the countryside in a better place.”
The award is judged by Alan Laidlow (Chief Executive, The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland), last year’s winner Jessica Langton and Agriconnect’s Mollie Leach. The ceremony takes place at the Vox Venue, Birmingham on Thursday 20th October and you can book your ticket at www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk.