Scholarship Programme
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2025, in partnership with McDonald's. The programme will involve a hybrid model with an opportunity for Scholars to attend the live conference in January 2025 (8th - 10th January), a 1-day in-person training forum in London - 21st October 2024, as well as online bespoke webinars that will be made exclusively available to the Scholars.
The OFC Scholars Programme aims to give young people 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 exciting 2025 OFC scholars programme provides an excellent opportunity for Scholars to experience the UK’s leading agricultural conference while gaining valuable skills to foster leaders of tomorrow.
So how does the Scholar Programme work?
Any sponsor, organisation or group can book a Scholar place for OFC25. It is then up to them how they nominate the individual that will receive the opportunity. For some, they do an open call and ask for applications, managed by the organisation and promoted via their own channels. However please do tag OFC, as we will always help spread the word.
Others will have already identified the individual they wish to send, for example, it could be an apprentice who works for them, the chair of a voluntary group or a young person who has won a competition.
Once the scholar place has been booked and paid for, OFC will then get in touch with them and invite them to be part of the programme, where they will benefit from a range of training, webinars and an exclusive session at OFC25. Scroll down this page to see what is included.
The cost for a Scholar for OFC 2025 will be £850 ex VAT, including two nights accommodation, conference meals and the iconic Christchurch dinner. If you would like to reserve a place, please contact the OFC Secretariat via secretariat@ofc.org.uk who will be pleased to help.
Please note, travel costs for 2025 scholars are not included in the above price. We kindly ask sponsors to set aside additional funds for the aforementioned travel and to liaise directly with their Scholars regarding the cost and reimbursement of travel for both the away day - 21st October 2024 and the conference in January 2025.
A comment from the partner.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the Oxford Farming Conference, sponsoring both the Scholars Programme and the Breaking Barriers Programme, for which we have increased the number of places available in 2025. Our sponsorship provides opportunities for young people from a range of diverse backgrounds to attend the 2025 Conference. As part of our Plan for Change programme we’re proud to be inspiring candidates from all backgrounds to consider a future career in the agricultural industry.”
Hetty Gittus, McDonald's Agriculture & Sustainable Sourcing Manager, UK & Ireland.
OFC 2025 Scholars Programme:
The programme welcomes a broad diversity of individuals, including those from non-traditional sectors and backgrounds, and reflecting a broad diversity of geographical and academic experience. We also 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 under 30 years and have not previously attended the conference. We also encourage Scholars to be appointed by end of September 2024 to ensure Sponsors and Scholars obtain maximum value from the programme.
Exclusive OFC 2025 Programme:
- Introductory informal webinar to meet and greet 2025 Scholar cohort and provide an overview of the programme. Date tbc
- One-day in-person event in London on 21st October 2024, in collaboration with McDonald's. The agenda will include an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workshop, and a social media training workshop.
- An online interactive webinar in November/December 2024 (date TBC).
- In-person leadership and communications training on Wednesday 8th January 2025
- Full attendance, accommodation and meals at the Oxford Farming Conference 2025 (8th to 10th January)
OFC Breaking Barriers Scholarship
As part of our commitment to encouraging and supporting diversity and inclusion we launched the landmark Breaking Barriers Scholarship 5 years ago. For OFC 2025, the Breaking Barriers Scholarship, in partnership with McDonald's, will support eight individuals. This unique opportunity is open for people aged under 30 years old, who identify as Black or Person of Colour (BPOC) and have an interest in the food, farming, and agricultural sector. Individuals do not have to be working or studying in the sector currently.
Applications for these eight places are managed via OFC.
The fully-funded Breaking Barriers programme includes the complete OFC 2025 Scholars programme PLUS the following:
- One day in-person Breaking Barriers meetup in September/October 2024, in London, to introduce one another and design the Breaking Barriers scholarship experience that each person wants.
- 2-day Breaking Barriers field trip to meet inspirational individuals in the sector and visit enterprises working in the agricultural sector (TBC October 2024)
- Monthly Breaking Barriers virtual check-in to share ideas and experiences as a group
- Materials including books to help support your future journey
Applications are now closed for 2025
Contacts
The OFC Directors responsible for the 2025 Scholars’ Programme are Jude McCann and Sheena Horner
If you have any questions or for more information on any of the above, please contact the OFC Secretariat via secretariat@ofc.org.uk .
