Bridgwater & Taunton Colleges Level 3 Agriculture students have benefited from expert guest lecturers from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory SW Group (FWAG).

Lauren Clarke, Senior Farm Environment Advisor, provided two guest lectures on key topics including: The Role of FWAG, Countryside Stewardship, Environmental and Land Management Scheme (ELMS), Water Quality & Flood Management and Soil Health. Lauren also toured the students around Rodway Farm whilst explaining all the projects which FWAG have been advising on, including the current Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Application that has been submitted.

Agriculture is changing and there is a responsibility on training providers to ensure their learners develop the knowledge and skills to be successful in this ever-evolving industry. Learners need to develop an appreciation for the environment and learn how modern agriculture will go together with environmental management and conservation in the future. The introduction of the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is going to present both challenges and opportunities for farmers and landowners to adapt working practices to continue farming both sustainably and profitably, and as such our learners will be at the forefront of these developments.

Tom Cunningham, Curriculum Manager for Agriculture, Food and Land Management said:

We are hugely grateful for Lauren’s input through these guest lecturers, which contribute towards key units within the Level 3 programme. These engaging sessions broaden the student’s mindsets of Agri-Environment schemes and highlighted the ecological, environmental, and economical benefits. This is such an important topic for learners to be exploring and we are thankful for our strong links with industry, which allow for expert-led session such as these.

The Level 3 Agriculture course covers a wide range of technical units including Managing Agricultural Enterprises & Business Improvement, Selection, Use & Management of Machinery, Livestock Health & Diseases, Livestock Production and Managing the Agricultural Environment.

For more information on Agriculture courses at Bridgwater & Taunton College, please call 01278 441234 or visit www.btc.ac.uk/agriculture