Rodway Young Farmers were delighted this week to present Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance with a donation of £750, which they raised from their annual Grass to Maize event last year. They are now gearing up for this year’s event which, weather permitting, will take place during the week commencing 30 April or 7 May.

This is a 24 hour sponsored event which involves hauling 35 acres of grass silage on Rodway Farm and then carrying out cultivations on the land to prepare it for planting maize. This will then be harvested during the following autumn by the College’s Agriculture students. 

Both the grass silage and maize silage cultivated by the students each year is used on the farm to feed the dairy cows and the sheep. The students’ participation is key to the successful production of top quality forage which in turn produces top quality livestock.

Last year’s event raised £1,500 for charity. This was split between Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Teenage Cancer Trust.

This year the money raised will be donated to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance again, and The Farming Community Network, a charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times. 

This has been a very successful event in the past and we are looking to make it even bigger and better this year. The Rodway Young Farmers have put in a huge effort so far and have been in contact with many tractor and machinery dealers who have agreed to loan demonstration machines for the event free of charge. Any donations and publicity for the event will be greatly received and much appreciated. Please email Emma Tobin on tobine@btc.ac.uk. 

Pictured above are the Rodway Young Farmers, presenting Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance with a donation of £750, which they raised from last year’s Grass to Maize event.