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After a successful first year, The Future Farmer Programme,  delivered by Harper Adams University's School of Sustainable Food and Farming and sponsored by Tesco, has announced that there is a further 75 places up for grabs, and are calling on young up-and-coming farmers to join the second year of the programme.

Starting in September 2024, the programme is aimed at farmers aged 40 and under who are interested in boosting their sustainable agriculture skills.

Supply chain insight

The first cohort completed a nine-month programme of activities based on practical learning, and those farmers are now preparing to complete their course following a 'Walk the Supply Chain' event, held in the West Midlands countryside.

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Farmers were able to visit ABP Food group's sites in both Newport and Ellesmere, which is one of Europe's leading food processors.

The next stop was Sansaw estate, at Hadnall, near Shrewsbury, a progressive dairy coupled with a business park and tenanted cottages, to discuss sustainable land management.

And finally, the farmers visited the Halfpenny Green Vineyard, who pair their award-winning wines with wider attractions, including a restaurant, shop and deli, a craft village and a wild zoo.

Supporting farmers

Director of the School of Sustainable Food and Farming and Course Director Simon Thelwell said: "We are really excited to be launching the second year of the Future Farmer Programme in partnership with Tesco. The cohort of farmers from the first year of the programme found the course incredibly valuable, and the in-person visits bring the course participants – who farm right across the UK - together, and let them talk to industry experts about their work.

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"Visits like this are a key part of the mix of in-person and online learning which has been at the heart of the Future Farmer programme – with the online sessions designed to help fit around farmers' busy lives, and the in-person elements both allowing them to talk with experts directly – but also to build networks with each other.

"We are very grateful for all of the businesses who have lent us their time and expertise over the past year to help us bring some of the key concepts we have been discussing around sustainable agriculture to life in the field."

Registration is now open for the second year of the programme.

Tesco head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries Natalie Smith said: "The Future Farmer Programme has helped equip our farmers with a stronger understanding of the environmental challenges we're facing, and how they can meet those challenges sustainably, both for our planet and for their business.

"As a leading supporter of British agriculture we wanted to make sure that our farmers, growers and suppliers have the skills they need to drive forward these improvements in sustainable farming – increasing  productivity and animal health and welfare, reducing their carbon impact, and protecting and restoring nature.

"We are delighted to see our first cohort of future farmers prepare to complete the programme, which has proved highly successful – and we are looking forward to welcoming the next cohort this summer."