Students visit Rhug Estate

The Rhug welcomed a group of second year students from Plumpton College, Brighton, to the Estate last week. The students were eager to learn about how the Rhug is managed, as part of their Foundation Degree in Countryside Management.

Whilst visiting the Rhug the group of six students were given a tour of the farm by Gareth Jones, Rhug Farm Manager. The group were also shown around the Rhug Cutting Plant by the Production Manager, Gary Jones. They completed their visit in the Rhug Bistro and Farm Shop.

Course Tutor, Sarah George, who organised the trip, said,

As part of our trip to north Wales I was very keen to incorporate a visit to the Rhug Estate to learn how Lord Newborough manages to run the farm and to make a commercially viable business. We were also interested to learn how the Rhug incorporates environmentally beneficial practises into its farm management. 

The second year Countryside Management Course students are not the first group from Plumpton College to visit the Rhug. Groups of students from the College’s agricultural course are regular visitors to the estate.

The Rhug Estate encourages groups of college students to visit the farm, free of charge, to help with their education. Primary and Secondary school groups are also welcome to arrange farm tours, which can involve a cookery lesson, to learn more about where their food comes from.

Lord Newborough said,

I believe it is part of our job as custodians of this land to impart the knowledge we have to the next generation. I feel it is vitally important to teach the next generation of farmers about how they can farm organically so they can make that decision for their own farm when the time is right for them. With regards to showing primary and secondary school children around, I am horrified by newspaper articles that state children do not know where their food comes from. I want our future generation of consumers to make an educated choice when it comes to where they buy from.

Sarah George added,

We would like to thank the team at Rhug for welcoming us last Friday. It was fascinating to learn more about how you work organically on the farm, whilst delivering niche and top-end products to retail and commercial customers.