Spence Agricultural Scholar Rachel Banks is to spend her third year of degree-level study experiencing the world of work with Bayer CropScience.
The placement year is designed to give students experience of the real-world challenges they will face when they complete their degree.
Rachel, who is studying agriculture at the University of Nottingham, is able to take part in the placement because the outdoor nature of the work means it is largely unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to work for one of the world’s leading pesticide developers.
“My work will involve assisting and providing support to the Farm Manager on two Field Stations. I will also be assisting the Agronomists who conduct trials on the two sites, with a range of trials on combinable crops, root crops, veg crops and topfruit with new and existing crop protection products.”
The placement runs from September 2020 until September 2021, and will also utilise Rachel’s recent City & Guilds qualification in forklift truck operations, and in the safe handling and application of pesticides.
Rachel adds: “My job will vary throughout the year and, day to day, I will be experiencing a full farm calendar year, starting after harvest when the new crops are being planted and leaving after I have taken them up again.”
To find out more about Rachel’s time as a Spence Agricultural Scholar, view her profile here.