LEAF and FACE merger confirmed
| Education
The merger between two of the leading farming and food educational charities , LEAF ( Linking Environment And Farming ) and FACE ( Farming and Countryside Education ), has been confirmed and took effect from 30th June 2017 .
L
EAF Chief Executive , Caroline Drummond said : “ We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm the merger between LEAF and FACE . It will deliver multiple benefits to our partners and stakeholders and enable us to further strengthen LEAF ’ s public engagement activities and the vital work the FACE team do in taking agriculture into schools . I am looking forward to working with the new team to deliver an efficient and effective strategy , that will increase and improve the public ’ s education , understanding and appreciation of farming , food production and the environment .”
Caroline Drummond will continue as Chief Executive of LEAF and a new Director of Education and Public Engagement will be appointed this summer , to replace Dan Corlett , who is leaving FACE to pursue another career .
Commenting on the merger , FACE Chairman , Ian Pigott said : " Since the inception of FACE in 2001 , it has achieved outstanding results . Through the training of teachers and farmers , advising industry on the code of practice and leading the on-line resource portal ‘ Countryside Classroom ’, huge numbers of young people have benefitted . The opportunity to merge with LEAF heralds a new dawn for public engagement and education ; we look forward to delivering even greater results for all involved in two of Britain ' s proudest sectors , farming and education .”
The merger comes after another highly successful LEAF Open Farm Sunday , which saw 250,000 people visit a farm on the 11th June . LEAF is now looking to build on its position as a leader in public engagement in food , farming and the environment and maximising FACE ’ s expertise in the education sector . The newly expanded organisation will offer stakeholders and partners , improved efficiencies , enhanced engagement and will create even more opportunities for educating and engaging the public with food and farming .
Local farmers see new developments at college farm first hand
Local NFU members visited Moreton Morrell College Farm to see for themselves the new developments which have taken place over the last year .
T he event , arranged with NFU Warwickshire County Organiser , Luke Ryder , saw 25 members visit the new sheep and beef units , and venture out into the fields to see the arable enterprise . The visit was led by Velcourt Farms Director Nick Shorter , Farm Manager Henry Dingle and Head of Agriculture Mike Fairclough with the support of other curriculum staff .
The visitors heard how the changes at the 250ha farm followed an extensive review which was commissioned in light of changes in the sector and to ensure the farm was reflective of current industry best practice . The farm ’ s focus changed from dairy to sheep , beef and arable , and to bring a stronger commercial approach to the running of the farm , the college partnered with Velcourt - a leading provider of farm management services across the UK and internationally .
Henry explained , “ The changes at the farm have seen a substantial expansion of the beef enterprise , a doubling of the college ’ s flock of sheep and a considerable increase in the hectarage and variety of cropping on the college farm .
“ Our vision is to make the farm as diverse as possible , to give our students as much opportunity to interact and develop different skills in terms of livestock handling , machinery use and looking at the arable side as well .”
Mike Fairclough , Head of Agriculture said , “ We were delighted to welcome so many local NFU members to the farm to show them the changes that we ’ ve been making over the past year . It ’ s great to see them so engaged and interested , asking lots of questions and giving us really useful feedback . They are the future employers of our students , so I hope they will continue to support us as we further develop
www . farmingmonthly . co . uk the farm to provide the best possible student experience .”
Duncan Hawley said : “ As NFU Warwickshire chairman I have been extremely keen to build stronger links between the union locally and the college .
“ Our farming members are naturally interested in the college and its farm which as we all know is responsible for training and equipping our agricultural students as they seek to build careers in this most rewarding of industries .
“ We arranged the farm walk in response to member interest and all who attended were suitably impressed with what they saw and heard .
“ I would like to commend Velcourt and Nick Shorter for taking some bold decisions regarding the farm and also wish Henry Dingle , the farm manager , Mike Fairclough and his fellow lecturers all the best as they continue on this most important of journeys .
“ All being well we will be back in the future to witness more positive changes and I would implore all local NFU members to offer their support to the college and farm in whatever way they can ”.
July 2017 | Farming Monthly | 33