Farm visit highlights conservation schemes for Sustainable Agriculture Bursary students 

Our Sustainable Agriculture Bursary, in partnership with Jordans Cereals, offers students studying agriculture at university the opportunity to develop and pursue their interests in environmentally-friendly farming. In addition to funding and a mentoring programme, students are invited to a number of events and networking opportunities across their three years of study.  

Calmsden Farms is an arable farm specialising in milling wheat, conservation milling oats and malting barley. In addition, they have a successful partridge restoration programme, and have diversified the farm in a number of ways. We were kindly hosted by farm owner and CLA President Mark Tufnell, who also provided a delicious lunch – including homegrown apple juice!  

Astrid Stubbings, a second year student at the University of Reading, explained: “It was brilliant to see close-up different aspects of conservation schemes on the farm – and also an interesting diversification project. Thank you!”  

Mark Tufnell said: “Dean and I very much enjoyed showing the students around the farm. It was great to have such keen and interested students on the visit and I’m sure that they’ll all do really well in their future careers. I look forward to meeting them all again.” 

The Sustainable Agriculture Bursary was created by the PCF and Jordans Cereals in 2019, with the aim of supporting the next generation of farmers entering the industry. Together, we believe that by neutering young people’s understanding of sustainable farming practices, and offering practical opportunities to pursue these interests, we will ensure a brighter future for the agricultural sector.  

Jordans Cereals have supported the PCF since its establishment in 2010. We are incredibly grateful for their steadfast commitment and generosity to our charity, which has enabled us to support family farms and rural communities across the UK for over twelve years.