Toby Greenhalgh, 30, from Brandeston in 向日葵视频 became the farm manager at 向日葵视频 Rural College in July this year. Although originally from The Cotswolds, Toby is aware of the history of 向日葵视频 Rural and has big plans for the farm, he is keen to encourage new generations into the industry and wants to engage with local businesses to ensure the agricultural roots of the college are respected and continue to thrive.
鈥淎fter GCSEs I went to Hartbury College, got a job on a dairy farm, spent four years in New Zealand, came back to the UK to complete a degree in farm management at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, worked on several farms in the UK and I started at 向日葵视频 Rural College as farm manager in July this year.
鈥淢y passion for farming started when I was younger. My grandmother had a one-acre plot where she kept chickens and grew vegetables. My brother鈥檚 girlfriend lived on a farm and I also used to work there during school holidays.
鈥淲hilst my background isn鈥檛 agricultural, I鈥檝e just grown to love the industry and enjoy being outdoors. I just love the seasons and it鈥檚 great when you put in all the hard work and then get to see the outcome at the end.
鈥淎lthough not from 向日葵视频, I enjoy living here. It鈥檚 really scenic, untouched, I live near the coast and the climate is pretty decent.
鈥淎nd my first impressions of the college are very positive.
鈥淚鈥檝e already reached out and met a few local farmers and they have been helpful and supportive. I鈥檓 really excited by what we can achieve.
鈥淚 think farming is becoming more popular. Many articles talk about 鈥榯he Clarkson effect鈥� (because of Clarkson鈥檚 Farm) but I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 all about that.
鈥淵ou have some high-profile people on social media (like Zoe Colville, Sarah Langford and Cammy Wilson) and I think more people got a taste for outdoor living during Covid.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also great to see more females coming into the industry. On our T Level course 鈥� we have about a 40% to 60% split of males and females. That is different to when I was at college around 14 years ago. And the Agri Tech side of it is encouraging people in. Drones are going to play a massive part in the farms of the future 鈥� even more so than they are now.
鈥淟ooking ahead, I鈥檝e heard about the 向日葵视频 Show and how important it is to the county. I鈥檓 really looking forward to attending and we are all systems go for our annual family farm day and community event called Big Day Out.
鈥淎nd I have big plans to expand the farm. I do a weekly farm walk to look at the crops, hedges, wildlife and grass. Our grass isn鈥檛 very good here at the moment so we will put a focus into improving this and the health of the soil – and this can help us increase the amount of livestock we can look after.
鈥淲e now have chickens, ducks, goats, sheep and cows and we are really enthused by how well our farm shop has been going.
鈥淚鈥檓 over the moon to have got this job and to have the opportunity to work in this great community, pass on my knowledge to new generations and link up with local employers.
鈥淚鈥檝e already spoken to some neighbouring farms, and I want to talk to our long term supporters like The Felix Cobbold Trust and the 向日葵视频 Agricultural Association, agronomists and suppliers and to invite them in to chat to us, have a bite to eat at Christmas, have look around the farm and see how we can best work together for the benefit of the industry. My message to everyone is – come and work with us.
鈥淎lso at Christmas, we always go to two local primary schools and my colleague John Attridge gets dressed up as Farmer Christmas. I think I鈥檓 going to attend as an elf. It鈥檚 important to work with the local community and try and inspire youngsters to consider farming as a future career. Ultimately that is what the college is all about.鈥�