Clarkson's Farm Kaleb Cooper launches bursary for farm students

Kaleb Cooper plays a central advisory role to Jeremy Clarkson in the Prime Video series Clarkson's Farm

A farming contractor, known for his role in a popular television series, is funding a bursary for students.

Kaleb Cooper, 24, shot to fame overnight when he appeared in the television show Clarkson's farm.

The series follows Jeremy Clarkson as he attempts to run a farm in the Cotswolds.

Mr Cooper has now launched a £3,000 bursary to help students attending the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Gloucestershire to pursue their career.

Mr Cooper has been working with students from the Royal Agricultural College

Mr Cooper has been working in and around farms since he was a schoolboy and says he wants to help as many young people get into the industry as he can.

The annual bursary will provide £3,000 to support students in exploring different paths to agriculture, as well as the opportunity for work placement with Mr Cooper himself, or one of his industry partners.

Launching the bursary to students at the university in Cirencester, he said: "Farming is who I am.

"Encouraging the younger generation into agriculture has always been so important to me.

"[The bursary] can support students who want to pursue an agricultural career or who might be struggling to get into farming."

Mr Cooper wants to create opportunities for young people to enter the agricultural sector

Caitlin Oxton, 20, studies Live Farm Management at the university. Although she was not brought up on a farm, she became interested in agricultural work while at college.

"I think it's a really good opportunity for someone like me who doesn't have a family background to give them that extra support," she said.

"It's really important that we educate the younger generation on where food comes from."

Caitlyn Bartlett who is also studying at the university would like to encourage other young people to consider agriculture.

She said the bursary is a "brilliant opportunity" which will "hopefully open lots of different doors for the future".

The funding is open to RAU undergraduate students from the UK and the first student should receive their award in early 2024.