West Scotland trainee agronomist is living the dream
Emma Warnock has taken a big step forward in realising her dream of a career in agronomy following her appointment as a trainee with Agrovista UK in the West of Scotland.
Emma recently graduated from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) in Ayr with an impressive upper second-class honours degree in agricultural bioscience.
“I am from a farming background predominately beef with some arable,” said Emma. “My studies allowed me to learn about both plants and animals and I found that I was more interested in crops.
“Last summer, I was lucky enough to get a work placement with Scottish Agronomy, and that confirmed what I thought I already knew – that I wanted a career in agronomy.”
Emma had two interviews before being offered the position at Agrovista UK and she revealed that the company has already lived up to its reputation.
“Everyone told me that it was a great opportunity and that I was going to get lots of support and training. This has certainly been the case. I’ve only been working here for a few months, but I don’t ever go somewhere and feel out of my depth. I’m always told or shown what to do – I have full support.”
As Emma says, the Agrovista team in the West of Scotland has welcomed her with open arms. She currently spends most of her time shadowing and learning from the more experienced agronomists.
Her education will also continue as she works towards becoming BASIS and FACTS qualified; and then she has her sights set on a diploma in Agronomy.
The ambitious Emma says all this will help her make a difference to farming businesses in the area in the not-too-distant future.
“I'm looking forward to meeting all different kinds of farmers and seeing how their systems work,” she said. “My aim is to advise and help them to be the best they can be - to make their businesses more profitable and their lives easier.
“Farmers are facing difficult times with ever-changing rules and regulations along with the threat of climate change and Brexit. I think that more than ever, they need to be pointed in the right direction and I hope that with time I can help to make a difference.”
