Neive follows her farming dream after surviving life-changing stroke
19th July 2025
Neive Burke is defying the odds to pursue her passion for farming after surviving a life-altering stroke.
The young agriculture student, who suffered a severe stroke in 2021, is now well on her way to a career in the dairy industry.
Neive said that after relearning how to walk and speak, her determination to return to farming gave her a renewed sense of purpose. Today, she is studying agriculture at Barnsley College’s Wigfield Farm campus and has become an inspiration to her peers and tutors alike.
She has gained hands-on experience in all aspects of livestock management and farm operations after completing her Level 2 agriculture course.
Neive’s dedication and work ethic have earned the respect of both her tutors and classmates, and she is set to progress to the Level 3 programme this September, where she will continue developing core skills in livestock handling, tractor driving, and farm business operations.
Neive said: “My love for livestock and nature has motivated me, and connecting with them has helped my recovery by keeping me calm. It’s a dream come true to be studying something I love so much. After missing three years of school, I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to achieve it.”
‘Storms don’t last forever’
Her journey was recently recognised at Barnsley College’s Student Excellence Awards, where she received the Townsend Tribute Award, an honour reserved for students with an Education, Health and Care Plan who have overcome significant challenges to pursue their ambitions.
Neive was nominated by her course leader, Macauley Parkin, who said: “Neive shows us all what true resilience looks like. Her strength and optimism have made her a role model among her peers and an inspiration to the wider community.
She hopes to build a future in the dairy sector, combining her passion for animal welfare with a drive to contribute meaningfully to British agriculture.
Neive’s message to others in the farming community facing hardship is simple but powerful: “Storms don’t last forever. You can get through anything if you don’t give up.”
Read more rural news.
