Cultivating confidence: how scholarships can empower future farming leaders
Each year, the CLA Charitable Trust supports students from Harper Adams and Aberystwyth University with scholarships to back their development. Discover Hattie Bryett’s story
A journey of growth and gratitude – Hattie Bryett:
As I approach the end of my final year studying agriculture at Aberystwyth University, I find myself reflecting on a transformative three years, filled with challenges, growth and incredible opportunities. This year has been the most demanding but also the most enlightening, deepening my understanding of the agricultural sector and my role in it.
Throughout this journey, the CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) scholarship has been a source of inspiration and empowerment. It has broadened my horizons and instilled in me a renewed sense of confidence, nurtured by the experiences and connections made possible by the CLA. Some of my most meaningful moments as a CLA scholar have included:
- Speaking at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in 2022 – I had the privilege of sharing my scholarship journey, which opened doors to valuable conversations with companies that were keen to hear a young voice in agriculture. Through this opportunity, I found a new community of mentors and supporters.
- Participating in the 2023 CLA Rural Business Conference in London – This was a prestigious platform and a deeply reflective experience. It reinforced a powerful realisation: people are willing to listen, especially when we take the time to engage in a meaningful way. This inspired me to begin reaching out to agricultural organisations, offering to write and communicate their perspectives to a broader audience.
- Joining meetings with Natural England on Super National Nature Reserve proposals – I witnessed first-hand the discussions between landowners, CLA members and policy leaders, which was invaluable and offered a deeper understanding of how decisions are shaped behind the scenes.
As I look ahead, I am eager to embed myself in the agricultural sector, even if my exact path is still unfolding. Since my final exam in mid-May, I have been job hunting across the West Midlands, ready to hit the ground running once I return home.
I hope to stay connected with the remarkable people I have met through the CLA. I would be honoured to return – to speak, to listen and to contribute – as we continue to shape the future of agriculture together.
One of my strongest aspirations is to engage with the younger generation. They are the future stewards of our land and they deserve to be seen, heard and educated. Farming is not just about the present; it is a legacy.
It is our duty to ensure that what we pass on is not a web of unresolved policies, but a robust and practical framework that empowers the next generation to succeed
I am deeply grateful to the CLA for believing in me and for the incredible opportunities that this scholarship has provided. Thank you for investing in young people and helping to shape a more confident, informed and inclusive future for UK agriculture.
CLA Charitable Trust Trustee Roger Douglas:
From a strong field of undergraduates, Hattie Bryett was the recipient of a CLACT scholarship, which supported her during her three years studying agriculture at Aberystwyth University.
When looking for a beneficiary of this award, we like to see a young student who is prepared to face a challenge, grasp an opportunity and show immense enthusiasm, and who has the intellect and intelligence to pursue their subject. Hattie certainly met these criteria.
In the rapidly changing world of agriculture and food production, it is tremendously important that we have people in our profession who are prepared to ‘get out there’ and represent land use in this wonderful country of ours
It is equally important to engage and communicate. We are all aware of the need to be understanding of the biodiversity and environmental issues we face in the 21st century and beyond. It is essential that we have our causes heard and respected by policymakers so that the future of agriculture and land management is protected and promoted.
Our land’s welfare and security will be in the hands of our new graduates, and I feel sure that Hattie and those like her will drive our industry forward in a positive and innovative way to meet current demands. Through them, we will see the deployment of modern farming methods to meet our growing population’s continuing demand for food production. With 70m mouths to feed, we are under pressure to ensure that supermarket shelves are filled, and it is essential that we implement modern technology to achieve this. In an uncertain world of export opportunities, it is important that British agriculture is at the forefront of global food distribution.
I would like to thank Hattie for her hard work, her enthusiasm and her inspiration. We wish her well for the future and will follow her career with great interest.
The CLACT will continue to support innovative, inspirational young adults, who will undoubtedly become the future leaders of our industry.