Young Farmer Focus: Hannah Scott-Cook - ‘I spend my spare time fixing rally cars’
Hannah Scott-Cook, 19, is in her first year at Harper Adams University studying agriculture. She is currently working on a solution to poultry red mite infestation.
Poultry: I really wanted to make sure I enjoyed my degree and felt like I could add something to an industry.
Although nobody in my family has ever farmed before, I believe I have found my biggest area of interest.
After keeping chickens at home and struggling through a summer of poultry red mite infestation, I became invested in finding a solution for chicken owners and farmers alike.
I am in the process of designing a solution that would not be affected by a ban of chemicals currently used to control red mites commercially.
I am in my first year at Harper Adams University and have been working on the poultry unit here, helping with PhD research projects where I have learned a lot about chicken husbandry and anatomy.
I hope to conduct my own research trials involving red mites, for example developing lab feeding methods. I love having time at university to indulge in further academic reading and research, especially around poultry.
Education: Coming from a very diverse city and living in Germany has given me a very accepting and open mindset, which I hope allows me to see solutions to problems from a different angle and encourage others to be more accepting of people’s differences.
I think flexibility, kindness and confidence are key to the future of developing British agriculture and engaging the public in farming.
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Education is important to me. I would love to see the public become more aware of the challenges and technicalities of farming, so they do not lose touch with where their food comes from and can continue to support British farming.
Support: Since starting university, I have achieved PA1 and 2, telehandler and tractor licences, despite having never driven a tractor before.
I spend my free time marshalling at car rallies or fixing the university’s motorsport club’s cars.
I also go to a local church in Newport which I love. I think it is important to have someone wiser who you can speak to in both good and bad times and I have definitely found people like that at church.
Even though I am not from a farming background, I share the enthusiasm towards agriculture with my colleagues, especially as the uncertain future draws near.
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