State-of-the-art agricultural training facilities officially launched in Greater Lincolnshire.
New cutting-edge agrifood training facilities at Riseholme College and the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme Campus are now complete and open for use, helping to develop the county’s workforce and drive growth across the agricultural sector.
Delivered through the UK Food Valley, as part of a £2.5m skills capital grant from the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal, the combined £960,000 investment across both sites has funded new teaching spaces and equipment.
The horticulture sector will be supported through Riseholme College’s new Centre for Plant and Soil Science. This has been established through the skills capital grant, alongside the purchase of industry-standard agricultural machinery, including a telehandler and tractor, nicknamed Freda by the students.
And the University of Lincoln, who is the primary UK provider for BASIS training, has fully kitted out a soils, plant and food analysis skills and training laboratory with the highest quality equipment to support field testing, soil analysis, crop management and food quality.
The facilities will support students with hands-on experience using the same advanced technology and equipment found in modern agri-tech and farming businesses, helping to develop Lincolnshire’s next generation of agricultural and horticultural innovators and specialists.
With access to skilled workers among one of the pressures for the sector, this investment into training facilities will help businesses access the highly skilled and increasingly technical workforce needed to support growth and productivity.
Professor Simon Pearson, Founding Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology at the University of Lincoln, said: “These new facilities provide students and researchers with access to advanced, industry-standard technologies that underpin modern agriculture and food production.
“In securing the best equipment we’re able to deliver the highest quality of technical training and research that directly supports the needs of the sector, while helping to inspire the next generation of talent into careers within agrifood.”
Beth Curtis, Vice Principal at Riseholme College, said: “We’re proud to see these fantastic new facilities open and already being used by our students and tutors.
“Having access to top-of-the-range equipment and specialist teaching environments gives our learners an invaluable practical experience and will greatly support their development as they look to start their careers in the sector.”
Cllr Sean Matthews, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The opening of these new facilities is a great achievement for the UK Food Valley, Riseholme College, University of Lincoln, and for Greater Lincolnshire’s agrifood sector.
“We know that businesses across the sector need access to skilled people who can work with the latest technology to innovate and grow. These new facilities help to ensure that Lincolnshire’s best and brightest are equipped to meet this demand and support the long-term future of the industry.
“It’s been great to see that both projects also sourced locally where possible. It’s a similar approach we’re taking at the county council, and it’s one that ensures investment in one area of our economy benefits local suppliers and residents in others.”
Greater Lincolnshire is one of the UK’s leading food-producing regions, and the investment forms part of the ambition of the UK Food Valley to position the area as a global top 10 food cluster.
Keep up to date with the progress and work of the UK Food Valley, through the dedicated bulletin: https://www.ukfoodvalley.co.uk/get-updates/
Some of the new kit in situ at the University of Lincoln's soils, plant and food analysis skills and training laboratory.