New course have been launched at the University of Cumbria to help people in the agricultural sector respond to changes in upland farming and environmental land management.
The six modules have been developed by the university and leaders in the farming and conservation sectors.
Its development has been supported by organisations including Ernest Cook Trust; The Farmer Network; RSPB, National Trust; Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, along with Skills Hub Cumbria and the Department for Education’s Strategic Development Fund.
Julia Aglionby, professor in practice at the university’s Centre for National Parks & Protected Areas, said: “It is a critical time for upland land managers and farmers.
“It’s about skilling up to best respond to rapid changes in farming policy, funding and upland environmental land management and comes when food and energy security, and climate change, are in clear focus for society and communities around the world.”
Each module involves 24 hours of tuition across eight weeks, using workshops, online evening lectures and farm visits. There is additional independent study, to help people to put their learning into practice, leading to accreditation.
