EISTEDDFOD LAUNCH FOR £1,000 FUW STUDENT BURSARY

New full-time students will be have to write a 1,000-word essay on one of three topics about the future of Welsh farming suggested by the Farmers' Union of Wales which launches its annual £1,000 bursary at the National Eisteddfod in Bala.

The topics are:

* What challenges will climate change create for farming and food production in Wales over the next 50 years?

* What should the Welsh farming industry and government do to attract more young people into agriculture?

* How would you give the Welsh farming industry a facelift to attract more support and loyalty from the general public?

Last year the adjudicators decided to award £700 to the bursary winner, 39-year-old Aberystwyth University countryside management student Jon Paul Mccalmont.

Jon, of Llangammarch Wells, Powys, received his award from FUW president Gareth Vaughan on the union's stand at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair last December.

Born and brought up in Talybont-on-Usk, he had worked as a self-employed sub-contractor in the forestry industry before taking up a university course.

Two runners-up, who each received £200 cheques, were farmers' sons 18-year-old Roger Williams of Presteigne, Powys, and 19-year-old Guto Siôn Owen of Foel Gadeiriau, Llangernyw, Abergele, who are also both studying at Aberystwyth University.

Full details on how to apply for the bursary is included in a leaflet available from the FUW's head office in Aberystwyth or at any of the union's local branch offices as well as on the FUW stand at the Eisteddfod.

The closing date for applications is September 30, 2009.