Second year of trailblazing agricultural scholarship is celebrated at Royal Norfolk Show

By: Communications

University of East Anglia (UEA) student Georgia Oliver is pictured. She has long, dark wavy hair and is smiling.

University of East Anglia student Georgia Oliver has been named the second recipient of the Norfolk International Scholarship, announced at the Royal Norfolk Show.

University of East Anglia (UEA) student Georgia Oliver has been named the second recipient of the Norfolk International Scholarship, announced at the Royal Norfolk Show.

The scholarship, delivered through a partnership between the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) and the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development (NISD), supports international research that brings practical benefits to Norfolk’s farmers.

Georgia, a postgraduate student at the UEA, will explore how environmental land management schemes - such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) - are supporting or hindering the adoption of sustainable practices on Norfolk farms.

Her work will examine barriers to uptake and farmer perspectives on how policies can be better aligned with real-world needs.

Comparing environmental schemes overseas

This year’s scholarship, supported by the JC Mann Charitable Trust, will enable Georgia to travel overseas to compare how other countries are implementing environmental schemes.

Countries like Canada and the Netherlands, known for innovative approaches to supporting sustainable agriculture, are key potential destinations for comparative study.

Georgia said: “I’m thrilled and extremely grateful to be selected for the Norfolk International Scholarship. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from farmers not just here in Norfolk but around the world.

“I’m passionate about sustainable farming and want to understand how policies can better support the transition farmers are already making toward regenerative, resilient practices.”

Focus on UK legume futures

As part of her research placement with the NISD, Georgia is contributing towards the wider NISD programme work on UK legume futures.

Her work connects climate policy, food system sustainability, and agricultural livelihoods - topics that are gaining urgency as the UK navigates both policy change and climate pressures.

Professor Nitya Rao, Director of the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development, said: “This research is highly timely and practically grounded. Georgia brings an impressive mix of analytical skill, policy insight, and enthusiasm to the challenge. We are excited to see how her findings can contribute both locally and more widely to the evolution of support for sustainable farming.”

Poul Hovesen, President of the RNAA, said: “With the current interest across the RNAA food producer membership in how to create more financially and environmentally sustainable farming systems, Georgia’s research is timely, much needed and will bring welcome insights for Norfolk farmers.

“As part of our wider efforts to support greater collaboration and leadership towards sustainability, we strongly support young people’s focus on agriculture and environmental stewardship and the future of our food production system.”

The Norfolk International Scholarship was launched in 2024 to support early-career researchers focused on climate and sustainability challenges in agriculture.

This second award marks the continuation of an exciting collaboration between Norfolk’s academic and farming communities.

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