January 2016 - Page 2 of 2 - Reaseheath College

Reaseheath Food and Farming discussion embraces technology

13 January 2016/in Alumni news, Reaseheath News/by Sophie Tatton

‘Use technology to drive the agricultural industry forward, embrace science, be innovative and never stop learning’. This was the key advice given to Reaseheath College students at a ‘question time’ discussion looking at careers in agriculture and food production.

The event, sponsored by the Food, Drink & Agricultural Group of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and organised by Reaseheath’s Agricultural Development Academy (RADA) and agricultural department, highlighted the opportunities available in the industry including business start-ups, and the attributes employers are looking for when recruiting.

amie-Leigh Douglas and Emma Hancocks chat to agricultural students

The panel, made up of Emma Hancocks (Senior Consultant, Promar International and Genus plc), Jamie-Leigh Douglas (Ruminant Technical Support Manager, AB Vista), Joanne Butterill (Agriculture Relationship Manager, NatWest), Ray Brown, (NFU Cheshire County Chairman) and Barbara Hughes (Cheshire Women in Dairy) took part in a lively Q and A session with undergraduates and Level 3 Diploma students studying agriculture at the Nantwich, Cheshire college.

A recurring theme, supported by all panel members, was that technology is vital for the future of the industry and that careers should be geared towards this constantly evolving science. Degrees were deemed to be important, particularly as they opened the door to graduate schemes in associated industries, but ‘soft’ skills such as reliability, work ethic and enthusiasm were seen as equally essential from an employer’s point of view.

The panel were also unified in their view that partnerships and co-operatives could well sustain the agricultural industry in the future, and that diversification into niche businesses could be a good route to success. Efficiency was key to profitability.

Ray Brown, himself a former Reaseheath agriculture student, advised: “Go for what you enjoy …. but you need to strive to be the best to survive”, while Joanne Butterill emphasised: “Building rapport with the people who are going to support you is key. Your personality is as important as your CV.” She also pointed out that banks were willing to support farming businesses provided they were presented with a clear business plan and cash flow forecast.

Responding to a question from student Matt Brown as to what the NFU was doing to encourage the next generation of farmers, Ray Brown said efforts were being made to deliver more power into the hands of producers and spoke positively about local food procurement centres which would source food from local businesses and encourage knowledge transfer.

Answering a question as to how ‘Cheshire Women in Dairy’ was encouraging females into the industry, Barbara Hughes described the association’s monthly meetings when best practice and ideas were shared. The panel were in agreement that British society was dictating a shift in perception and that it was now far more acceptable for women to be in the industry.

Rhys Edwards, Henry Stanhope, Lizzy Mercer and Harry Hough talk to Ray Brown and Joanne Butterill

Asked how she became a senior consultant, Emma Hancocks said that she had found it very beneficial to work her way up ‘from the bottom’, gaining rounded skills, but that the research which formed part of her degree had proved important to her progression.

This view was supported by Jamie-Leigh Douglas, who said that a background in science and technology could lead to excellent progression in the global animal feeds industry.

In conclusion, Ray Brown emphasised: “Although there is an oversupply at the moment, there are seven billion people in the world and this will increase to nine billion in 20 years. The demand for agriculture produce will increase and the next generation needs to look at producing food which is local, fresh and usable.

“The value of technology such as robots and sophisticated machinery isn’t negative. They help you to do your job better by freeing up time. The future of farming is in the hands of the next generation – and we need our young people to continue learning and then sharing their knowledge, best practice and experiences.”

Header image caption: Jamie-Leigh Douglas, Ray Brown, Joanne Butterill, and Emma Hancocks are joined by Reaseheath agriculture students Lizzy Mercer, Harry Hough and George Browne

Steven Williams BSc (Hons) Landscape Design and Management, 2011

12 January 2016/in Alumni news/by Sophie Tatton

Steven Williams onsite at WAP Lawton and Son Ltd

Steve began his seven year Reaseheath journey as an apprentice on an NVQ Level 2 Horticulture course and progressed to his degree while holding down a full time job with WAP Lawton and Son Ltd, Landscape Contractors.

Attending college on one day a week, Steve gained qualifications at Level 3, Higher National Certificate, Foundation Degree and finally his BSc (Hons) degree. He was supported throughout by his employer, Jeremy Lawton, and was promoted Contracts Manager, a job which includes liaising with clients, managing a team of landscapers and materials, health and safety, human resources, finance and estimating.

Steve so impressed his college lecturers that he represented Reaseheath at the finals of EuroSkills, a quest to find the most talented young people, and earned a scholarship to attend the WorldSkills Olympics in Japan to support the UK team. Another highlight, for him, was helping to build our medal winning show gardens at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. Keen to share his knowledge of the horticulture industry, he’s now returned to Reaseheath as a lecturer/course manager in Landscape Design and Construction.

Steve said: “Being a student at Reaseheath boosted my confidence as well as giving me a wide range of practical and theoretical skills. I also made useful contacts within the industry. I’m delighted to have the chance to share my knowledge and skills with the next generation and thrilled to be back at Reaseheath. ”

Rising star Robert addresses the Oxford Farming Conference

11 January 2016/in Reaseheath News/by Sophie Tatton

Ambitious young farmer Robert Yardley addressed delegates and had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne at this year’s Oxford Farming Conference (OFC).

Robert, 29, a current Reaseheath Foundation Degree in Agriculture undergraduate, took to the main stage of the prestigious conference to speak of his experiences with the Young DLG – the youth network of the German Agricultural Society.

Robert, who attended the OFC last year as Reaseheath’s representative, was one of three scholar delegates to be awarded an OFC travel scholarship to attend the Young DLG Conference at Agritechnica, Germany, last November. The exchange is part of a collaboration between the OFC and the Young DLG and aims to give young people involved in British and German agriculture a networking and learning opportunity at leading agricultural events.

Robert Yardley meets Princess Anne at the Oxford Farming Conference

Robert, who is studying at Reaseheath part-time alongside his job as an arable operator, gave a presentation at the Young DLG conference about farming in the UK and more specifically in Cheshire. He was also able to tour Agritechnica, which is a leading international exhibition of agricultural machinery and equipment, go on farm tours organised by the Young DLG and enjoy interacting with German young farmers.

Describing the experience as ‘a great opportunity which will help further my future career’, Robert told the OFC how he had been able to explore farming practices which met current challenges and had been impressed with the way some businesses were structured to make the most of the marketplace.

He told delegates: “I was delighted to attend Agritechnica and to be representing the OFC at such a globally important event.”

Outside the conference, Robert paid tribute to the support he has received from Reaseheath Agriculture and in particular from course manager Dr Jane Richardson, who put him forward to attend the OFC in 2015. Reaseheath’s delegate for 2016 was Chris Kogel, who is also studying for a Foundation Degree in Agriculture but specialising in Dairy Herd Management.

The three day conference had the theme ‘Bold Agriculture’ and featured Defra Secretary Liz Truss and EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan among other key speakers.

For more info see www.ofc.org.uk

Since attending the Young DLG conference, Robert has taking every opportunity to learn more about agriculture in other EU countries and is particularly interested in how businesses manage volatile markets.

He is a member of the NFU’s North West Crops Board and as a result was invited by leading agricultural company Syngenta to travel to the Ukraine in December to share his experience of the UK industry with farmers there. Accompanying NW Crop’s Board chairman Olly Harrison, he spent a week building relationships with farmers who are interested in entering into a new grain market strategy with Syngenta.

Robert made a presentation to around 50 farmers at a finance forum on how the grain market works in the UK. He also toured individual farms meeting owners and managers, which allowed him to better understand the Ukraine perspective of grain marketing. The visit was so successful that Syngenta is likely to repeat it early this year.

Robert re-entered farming in his early 20s after experiencing several other industries. He gained valuable experience as a harvesting contractor in Australia and New Zealand before taking his current job on an arable farm in Widnes and aims to be a farm manager.

Brazilian visitors herald strengthening international links

7 January 2016/in Reaseheath News/by Sophie Tatton

Three education ministers from the Brazilian Government visited Reaseheath to see how we work with employers to train the industry force of tomorrow.

The visit was part of a project by the Association of Colleges (AoC) to encourage international links between colleges and in particular to look at successful links between education providers and industry. We were selected as a host college by the AoC thanks to our reputation for offering best practice in employer engagement and because of the high number of our students who gain employment after their course.

The delegates meet up with compatriot Ricardo Farias from Tetrapak Brazil

The Brazilian government is building a new education policy and the delegates were particularly interested in seeing how we design vocational education and training programmes at both further education (FE) and higher education (HE) level to meet the skills needs of employers.

Delegates Pedro Carvalho Leitao (Director of the Supervision Department), Luana Medeiros (Director of the Regulation Department) and Israel Gottscalk (Regulatory Policy Department) toured our food centre and food engineering and horticulture departments with Assistant Dean of HE Mark Harris and AoC International Manager Ayesha Williams.

During their tour of our food processing halls, our visitors enjoyed a chance encounter with fellow compatriot Ricardo Farias, a commissioning engineer for Tetrapak Brazil, who was coincidentally studying with us on a bespoke international training programme for Tetrapak.

After their visit, Luana said: “Reaseheath is a very good example of successful interaction between a college and the industries which are going to be employing its students. The facilities here are state of the art and equal or better than those you see in industry.”

Our links with Brazil will be strengthened later this month with the arrival of around six Brazilian students who will be studying for ten weeks on existing food or countryside courses. Their visit is part of the AoC’s ‘Skills without Borders’ pilot programme which encourages vocational students at FE and HE level from Brazil to study and experience college life in Britain.

Header image: Our Brazilian delegates, joined by Mark Harris and Ayesha Williams, enjoy a presentation in the food production hall from Nick Blakemore

Reaseheath arborist helps stricken communities in the Philippines

5 January 2016/in Reaseheath News/by Sophie Tatton

Reaseheath College arboriculture assessor and lecturer Jonathan ‘Jono’ Finlow is in the Philippines answering an emergency call for help from rural communities hit by a typhoon.

Jono Finlow teaching Reaseheath’s arboriculture students

Arborist and DART trustee Jono Finlow

Jono and fellow members of DART International UK (Disaster Arborist Response Team) are currently part of a global relief effort in Northern Samar, which was hit by Typhoon Melor in December.

The typhoon made its landfall on the largely rural and impoverished region before going on to strike several other islands across the Central Philippines, which has been declared a ‘state of national calamity’. Although over three quarters of a million people were safely evacuated, 41 people died and many more are missing or injured. Tens of thousands of homes and public properties have been destroyed and over 280,000 people are sheltering in evacuation centres.

After receiving a formal request for assistance from the Mayor of San Jose, a coastal town in Northern Samar, a DART team of Jono, Team Leader Gary Bailey, Team Medic James Enticknap-Green and Graham Beer left for the Philippines on New Year’s Eve. They are spending two weeks on the stricken island clearing typhoon debris to allow safe access for other relief teams and treating damaged and high risk trees.

If appropriate, and with the approval of local community leaders, they are also training local volunteers in chainsaw handling and tree clearance and may donate machinery and safety equipment to those they have trained.

Jono, who assesses Reaseheath apprentices and teaches on our Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture, also runs The Good Tree Company and is a DART trustee. His disaster relief work is supported by our students and staff, who raise funds for the charity. For the latest effort, Reaseheath trained arborist Twm-Tegid Brunton, a member of the North West Welsh Opera Choir, sang Christmas carols from the top of a 100 foot high redwood tree on campus.

Twm is well on his way to raising £1,000 for DART. You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/Twm-Brunton/

Header image caption: Jono Finlow teaching Reaseheath’s arboriculture students