Scholars

Introduction

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2022, adapting a hybrid model with an opportunity to attend the live conference in January 2022, as well as access a series of online bespoke webinars that will be made exclusively available to the Scholars.

The offering aims to give young people in the early stages of their career the opportunity for peer-to-peer networking and to share views and ideas, while gaining access to key skills development training. We firmly believe that the new and exciting changes to the January 2022 Scholars Programme provide an excellent opportunity for Scholars to experience the UK’s leading agricultural conference while gaining valuable skills to foster leaders of tomorrow.

OFC 2022 Scholars’ Programme

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Sponsored by McDonald’s UK, the programme welcomes a broad mix of individuals, especially those from non-traditional sectors, and reflecting a broad diversity of backgrounds, geographies and academic experiences. We specifically encourage and welcome applicants from outside of the agriculture sector including those who haven't studied Agri-Food subjects. We ask that Scholars should be aged approximately between 22 and 30 and have not previously attended the conference.

McDonald’s has worked with the Oxford Farming Conference for the last nine years. They are passionate about providing opportunities for young people to experience the farming and agriculture industry and what it has to offer. That’s why this long-term partnership has allowed McDonald’s to create a programme for close to 400 scholars, helping to bring them together and get the very best from the event.

OFC 2022 Programme

Introductory informal webinar to meet and greet 2022 Scholar cohort in September 2021.
In-person event on 28th October 2021 in collaboration with McDonald’s at there head office in London. The agenda will include: a McDonald’s presentation with one of their partners with a focus on biodiversity; a McDonald's franchise tour; an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workshop; and a networking session.
An online interactive webinar in November 2021 covering multimedia training with Will Evans from Rock and Roll Farming Podcast, Tom Levitt from Farmers Guardian and Rebecca Dawes from Jane Craigie Marketing.
Online webinar in December 2021 with Innovate UK funded Agri-Tech centres covering the innovation landscape.
In-person training on 5th January 2022 covering leadership, group work, motivation and thinking on your feet with Heather Wildman from Saviour Associates. A conference group task will also be set in this session entitled ‘The Future of Farming’.
‘Leadership Pathway’ mixer event, in collaboration with Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust, on Thursday 6th January.
Presentation of conference group task ‘The Future of Farming’ results on Friday 7th to a panel of industry experts.
OFC Bitesize events.
Full attendance and accommodation at the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2022.

OFC McDonald’s Breaking Barriers Scholarship

For OFC 2022, the Breaking Barriers Scholarship, in collaboration with McDonald's, will continue. There are two scholarships available and we are looking for candidates who reflect a broad diversity of geographical and academic experience, come from outside of the Agri-food sector but are keen to enter it. No qualifications in an Agri-food subject are required and you don't have to be working in the sector. We want to find people who are passionate about food production.

We ask applicants to submit a 30 second video of why they should be chosen for this prestigious scholarship. Application deadline for the Breaking Barriers Scholarship is the 30th September 2021 and submissions should be sent to: secretariat@ofc.org.uk

Conference Fees and How to Register for the OFC Scholars’ Programme

The cost for a Scholar is £650 ex VAT.

Registration for the programme will open in mid-September 2021 so we encourage Sponsors to appoint Scholars by this date to ensure maximum value is achieved.

Contacts

The OFC Director responsible for the 2022 Scholars’ Programme is Dr Jenna Ross.

For more information contact the OFC Secretariat via secretariat@ofc.org.uk or 0845 652 0945

OFC

Reports & Blogs

Below are some examples of what other scholars have gained out of the conference:

Scholars

Introduction

OFC 2022 Scholars’ Programme

REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT BITESIZE - 7 October 2021