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Trio shortlisted for Women in Agriculture awards

Chloe HughesWest Midlands
Harper Adams University A composite image of three women. On the left, Isla has blonde hair tied back and is wearing a dark waterproof coat. She is standing next to a brown and white cow. In the centre, Louisa has a red waterproof jacket on, and has blonde hair. She is standing in a field full of green vegetables and is holding a parsnip. On the right, Chloe has auburn hair and is standing in a field. She is holding a pink pigletHarper Adams University
Left to right, Isla Soutter, Louisa Dines, and Chloe Gimson

Three women from Harper Adams University have been shortlisted in the National Women in Agriculture awards.

Course manager for agriculture Louisa Dines is a finalist in the Training and Education Woman of the Year category.

Graduates Chloe Gimson, who secured a degree in agriculture with farm business management, and Isla Soutter, an agriculture with animal science alumna, are both up for the Rising Star of the Year title.

"It is a credit to Harper that there are a number of women shortlisted for the awards," Gimson said of the university, based in Newport, Shropshire.

The awards will be held in London in May.

Gimson, who works as an associate within the food and farming team at Savills after graduating in 2021, said: "Alongside my day job, I have remained actively involved in the agricultural industry including as a member of the Ladies in Pigs Committee and chair of the Society of Agriculture Thames Valley Group."

She described the nomination as an honour.

"So much of the work I do, whether it is supporting farmers through my day job, championing British produce or engaging with the public through education and food, comes from a genuine passion for the industry," she added.

Soutter, who works for food processor ABP, said it was great to be shortlisted alongside fellow Harper Adams students and staff.

"I truly love what I do and feel extremely grateful to work in the agricultural industry alongside such inspiring people," she said.

"Every day is a learning day, and I'm genuinely thankful to be recognised along the way."

Dines said: "I am delighted to be shortlisted for this award and grateful for the opportunities and support that I have had to develop my career and bring my agronomy skills into the classroom and now to lead the agriculture courses at Harper Adams.

"It is made even more special by the fact that two of the Rising Star nominations for the awards are recent Harper alumni that I, along with many others at Harper Adams, have taught."

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