A FARMING student from Dousland has won big in this year’s British Farming Awards.

Nicola Blowey, 22, who studied at Harper Adams University, has been named the agricultural student of the year.

During her time at university Nicola has completed various practical courses, was a regular attendee of the university’s forums and debates, joined the women’s rugby team and was elected VIP manager for the 2016 summer ball.

The daughter of a fourth-generation dairy farmer, Nicola has undertaken various work placements and is a keen member of Tavistock YFC.

She has recently travelled to New Zealand to work for a dairy farm and train in pasture-based milk production for a year.

On her return to the UK, Nicola will work for Robert Craig, who has sponsored her New Zealand trip, enhancing her knowledge and continuing to pursue her dream of working in the agricultural industry.

She said: ‘To win this award is really special for me. As a new entrant I have come a long way from my first week of work experience on a farm at 14, and although I still have a massive amount to learn, I know Harper has given me an excellent understanding of the industry and prepared me for my future career.

‘I have always worked to take every opportunity and I am extremely proud to have been able to take part in every aspect of life at Harper, both academically and socially and represent the university at national competitions and as an ambassador.’

The competition judges said: ‘Nicola is motivated by challenges and as a result is a very dynamic individual. With a whirlwind of achievements to her name, her choices are planned and well thought out. She is without doubt one to watch in the future.’

As Nicola was in New Zealand at the time the award was announced, her parents Ruth and Bill attended the ceremony to pick up the award on her behalf.

Ruth said: ‘We were pleased to be able to go to the ceremony but we were surprised that she won — not because she doesn’t work hard, but because they knew that she wouldn’t be able to go. She takes it all in her stride.

‘We worked in farming before she was born but she grew up behind the counter of the post office in Horrabridge, which we used to run.

‘It’s a huge achievement and her friend Ross Edwards from Gulworthy won it two years ago.’