Services to Business and the Community
In addition to its research and teaching, the school is also involved in a range of important activities and business services, comprising:
Services to Agriculture
- Two university farms: Cockle Park and Nafferton
- Farm Business Survey
- Senior Agricultural Society (UNAS)
Services to the Food Industry
Services to the wider Rural Economy
Services to Schools and Further Education
Nafferton Ecological Farming Group welcomes enquiries from local Primary and Middle and Special Schools about farm visits, which we can tailor to curriculum requirements.
When Schools visit Nafferton Farm, we aim to provide a fun and informative experience for the students by seeing real on-farm practices that will inspire them in many areas of learning. Students gain a real understanding of where their food come from, the skills involved and the yearly cycle of work on a farm. Importantly they also get to enjoy the experience of being in the countryside which certainly stimulates all the senses!! We usually recommend that visits are undertaken in the Summer Term.
Secondary School pupils from all over the NorthEast region have visited the farm and carried out project work related to the GCSE Geography and Science curricula, BTEC Certificate in Agriculture and A level Biology. We explore the different scientific processes involved in the arable and dairy farming and the effects of different agricultural inputs and methods on the viability of the farming business and local biodiversity.
We are currently producing teaching materials for A level Biology teachers which will cover community effects of farming inputs and systems, plant and animal biology, molecular biology, experimental design and statistical analysis.
Student Engagement with Industry and the Community
Students in AFRD have plenty of opportunities to engage with industry during their studies. Our degrees include placements and industry sponsored projects. We also offer PhD opportunities in collaboration with external organisations. To find out more visit our teaching pages. In order to ensure all our degrees are relevant the School convenes an Industrial Advisory Committee at least twice a year.