2018-03-28 |
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HRH The Prince of Wales looks to the future at Newton Rigg College
On Monday 26th March, HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron, The Prince’s Countryside Fund, attended the National Centre for the Uplands at Newton Rigg College to meet with staff, students, and beneficiaries of the Fund.
HRH visited the College’s state-of-the-art Sheep Husbandry Centre its hill farm, Low Beckside, Mungrisdale, to see how Cumbrian farmers are preparing themselves for the future.
HRH The Prince of Wales talks to students at the Sheep Husbandry Centre
Students demonstrated how they use the latest technology, such as how handheld scanners can record animal data, from the sheep’s ear tag number, to its weight and any health issues the animal may have. They also displayed more traditional skills, such as lambing and sheepdog training.
HRH then joined in with a discussion as part of the Fund’s ‘Preparing for Transition’ activity. Cumbrian farmers who have been supported by the Fund were brought together to share how they planned to create businesses that were fit for future generations.
Claire Saunders, Director of The
Prince’s Countryside Fund said:
“Today has demonstrated the many diverse and important ways that
farmers are preparing for the future. It was heartening to hear
the conversation between local farmers on their aspirations and
plans for their businesses.
“The Fund is committed to help bring farming families together in local networks to encourage these discussions, to create a thriving and resilient farming sector.”
Catherine
Dixon, Chief Executive of Askham Bryan College said:
“We were delighted to show The
Prince of Wales the important work
we are doing to inspire and equip agriculture's future leaders and
custodians of the countryside. For generations farmers have played
a crucial role in providing the nation's food, but also in caring
for our landscapes and our College has played a key role in that.
We are passionate about continuing that tradition and particularly
to ensure our uplands remain a vibrant workplace as well as a picturesque
asset.”
Newton Rigg College became part of Askham Bryan College in 2011 and is the only college in the country to own a hill farm.
The Prince’s Countryside Fund was established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2010 and aims to enhance the prospects of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life. We believe that the British countryside is our most valuable natural asset and its contribution to our everyday life cannot be underestimated.
