Emma Warnock has taken a big step forward in realising her dream of a career in agronomy following her appointment as a trainee with Agrovista UK in the West of Scotland.

She recently graduated from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), in Ayr, with an upper second-class honours degree in agricultural bioscience.

“I am from a farming background, predominantly beef with some arable,” she said. “My studies allowed me to learn about both plants and animals and I found that I was more interested in crops.

“Last summer, I was lucky enough to get a work placement with Scottish Agronomy and that confirmed what I thought I already knew – that I wanted a career in agronomy.”

Read more: Agrovista UK - West of Scotland

She's now been offered a position by Agrovista UK and currently spends most of her time shadowing and learning from experienced agronomists.

Her education will also continue as she works towards becoming BASIS and FACTS qualified; and then she has her sights set on a diploma in agronomy.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all different kinds of farmers and seeing how their systems work,” she said. “My aim is to advise and help them to be the best they can be – to make their businesses more profitable and their lives easier.

“Farmers are facing difficult times with ever-changing rules and regulations along with the threat of climate change and Brexit. I think that more than ever, they need to be pointed in the right direction and I hope that with time I can help to make a difference.”