Ag student from non-farming background thrives despite challenges

If there is anyone who can truly prove that if you put your mind to it and put yourself out there you can achieve your dreams it is Naomi Ramsay.

Having studied a BSc in agriculture at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and having faced multiple obstacles, Naomi found her place in agriculture while studying.

She hopes she can be an example to others, especially those who come from non-farming backgrounds and facing their own personal challenges.

Naomi was diagnosed with severe dyslexia, but instead of letting this hold her back, she described this as her ‘superpower', and during lockdown, after years of questioning her own abilities, she finally decided to pursue her dream of working outdoors with livestock and applied for college.

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This was, however, after being accepted numerous times before.

It was at SRUC that her pathway changed direction after finding she had a passion for agronomy, and she has since decided to defer her fourth year.

She says: "I am really pleased because I was offered a trainee agronomy job with Agrovista. I start in September."

British Farming Awards

The 28-year-old, who lives in Kelso, East Lothian, was shocked to find out she had been nominated for Agricultural Student of the Year.

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A surprise, she says, is an understatement. But the exposure and networking opportunities as a young farmer are key.

Naomi says: "It is a humbling feeling knowing your lecturer believes in you and it gives you a real confidence boost, especially when you are from a non-farming background.

"People know me from [the British Farming Awards] now. While on my last lambing job, I had another student say she recognised me from the awards."

She says that although the awards are a chance to take a step back, get away from the farm and look at what you have achieved, they also offer a chance to show others what you can bring to the table. As a student, this is vital in securing jobs in the future.

She says: "As they say: nothing ventured, nothing gained. Studying an agricultural degree is your one opportunity to go for it; you are only going to be an agricultural student once.

"Even if you do not win, it makes you stop and think: actually, I have this skill or this quality. Do it for yourself."

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