Agriculture

  1. Home
  2. Offer Holders
  3. Agriculture
A welcome from the Head of Agriculture, Arboriculture and Environmental Conservation - Vicky Beckwith

Hello and congratulations on your offer to study with us! I'm delighted you've chosen to join our agriculture department at Capel Manor College.

Whether you're already passionate about farming or are just beginning to explore where a career in agriculture could take you, you've chosen a course that will challenge you, develop your confidence and give you real practical experience.

Agriculture is changing rapidly. Today's farmers need a wide range of skills, from caring for livestock and operating machinery to understanding sustainability, technology and food production. Our aim is to help you build those skills in a supportive environment where learning is practical, relevant and enjoyable.

Much of your learning will take place at Forty Hall Farm, our organic commercial farm in Enfield. It's a fantastic place to learn because you'll experience farming as it really is - working with livestock, developing practical skills and seeing how a commercial farm
operates throughout the year.

Our team has a wealth of industry experience and we're all passionate about helping learners succeed. We know that everyone arrives with different experiences and levels of confidence, and we'll support you every step of the way.

I hope you're as excited as we are to get started! We look forward to welcoming you in September and helping you begin the next stage of your journey.

Vicky Beckwith
Head of Agriculture, Arboriculture and Environmental Conservation

Head of arboriculture, agriculture and environmental conservation at Capel Manor College - Victoria Beckwith.

Course overview

Our agriculture courses combine classroom learning with hands-on practical experience to prepare you for a career in the modern agricultural industry.

Based at Forty Hall Farm, our organic commercial farm in Enfield, you'll learn in a real working environment, developing skills in livestock husbandry, machinery, grassland management, sustainable farming and farm business. Alongside practical learning, you'll build your knowledge of animal health and welfare, environmental stewardship, health and safety, and modern farming practices.

You’ll see how produce is sold through the farm shop, local markets and community food projects, helping you understand the journey from farm to customer. You'll also have opportunities to meet employers, visit farms and agricultural businesses, and take part in
industry events - helping you build confidence, develop professional skills and explore the wide range of careers available within agriculture.

You can find more detailed information on our agriculture courses here.(opens in new tab)

A Capel Manor College agriculture tutor and student showing sheep.

Modules and structure

Your course combines classroom learning with practical experience. As you progress, we'll encourage you to become increasingly independent and confident, preparing you for employment or further study. Over the year you'll build knowledge and skills in areas such as:

  • Livestock husbandry
  • Animal health and welfare
  • Crop and grassland management
  • Tractor driving and machinery
  • Farm business
  • Health and safety
  • Sustainable and regenerative farming
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Working as part of a professional team
Agriculture student at Capel Manor College showing a sheep with a rosette

Equipment and uniform

Agriculture is a practical subject, and you'll spend a lot of time outdoors in all weathers. We will also be using laptops / computers and the Microsoft suite, including Teams. Don't worry if you don't have everything on day one - we'll explain what you'll need during induction. Before you start we'd recommend bringing:

  • Steel toe-cap work boots
  • Waterproof clothing
  • Warm layers
  • Practical clothing you don't mind getting muddy
  • A notebook and pen
  • A refillable water bottle

Meet the team

Head of arboriculture, agriculture and environmental conservation at Capel Manor College - Victoria Beckwith.

Vicky Beckwith

Faheem Ahmed
Mark Ballard, agriculture tutor at Capel Manor College, showing a sheep with a rosette.

Mark Ballard

Preparing for study

If you'd like to get a head start before September, here are a few ideas:

Watch

• BBC Countryfile
• Clarkson's Farm
• This Farming Life

Think about the different jobs people do on the farm and the challenges they face.

Visit 

If you have the opportunity, visit a:

• Local open farm
• Famers' market
• Agricultural show

Notice how livestock are handled, the machinery being used and how farms work with nature while producing food.

Keep curious

Follow farming news through Farmers Weekly or Farmers Guardian and keep an eye on what's happening in the industry.

You don't need to know everything before you arrive (that's what we're here for!) but being curious is always a great place to start.

Agriculture FAQs

Agriculture is changing, and there are more opportunities than ever before.

Our students progress into careers including:

• Farm management
• Livestock production
• Agricultural engineering
• Machinery operation
• Agricultural sales
• Environmental land management
• Estate management
• Further and Higher Education
• Apprenticeships

Our aim is to help you develop the skills, confidence and experience to take the next step, whatever that looks like for you.

Red Poll cattle - learn about beef production, breeding, grazing and animal health.

Sheep enterprise - from lambing to pasture management and flock welfare.

Berkshire pigs - experience pig husbandry and understand the journey from farm to
food.

Machinery - build confidence around tractors, equipment and safe working practices.

Market garden - see how vegetables are grown and sold through local food schemes.

Community orchard & vineyard - explore sustainable food production and the wider
role of agriculture in the community.

By the end of your course, you should be able to:

• Safely handle livestock with confidence
• Understand how a commercial farm operates
• Use a range of agricultural tools and equipment safely
• Show teamwork and communication skills
• Show experience that employers value
• Show that you're ready for employment, an apprenticeship or further study

We would like you to make the first steps to find a work placement, as you know the areas you can get to. Often an email or phone call can start that connection.

The industry is keen to help motivated, enthusiastic individuals. Once you start the course, we will give you the forms to record the address and contact details for the farm you want to work with. This enables our teams to contact the farm and complete the checks to make
sure you’ll be safe.

If you can’t find a placement we will help you as we have a database of employers we have worked with in the past academic year.

• Meet local farmers and employers
• Visit commercial farms
• Attend agricultural shows
• Take part in practical demonstrations
• Develop employability skills
• Complete industry work experience
• Build your CV before leaving college

Have questions?

Speak to our Admissions team via live chat from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday or email admissions@capel.ac.uk.