The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) and the renowned Badminton Estate have formed a pioneering partnership to equip the next generation of farmers and land managers with essential hands-on experience. This collaboration, set to begin early next year, will see RAU students applying their academic knowledge within a working estate environment.
The partnership will focus on enhancing experiential learning across RAU’s agriculture, equine, and land and property management courses. Students may also have opportunities for work placements and research projects addressing real-world issues on the 20,000-acre estate. Future study programmes and summer schools are also being explored.
Professor Peter McCaffery, Vice-Chancellor at the RAU, stated that the shared vision with Badminton Estate centres on fostering rural innovation, regeneration, and resilience. He highlighted potential activities for equine students, including practical sessions at Badminton’s equestrian facilities and involvement in planning the 5-star Horse Trials. Land and property students will benefit from estate visits and case studies.
Jasper Hasell, Estate Director at Badminton, commented that the estate, which encompasses farming, forestry, planning, development, filming, and major equestrian events, offers a broad range of practical experience. He expressed pleasure in working with the RAU to bridge the gap between academic learning and the realities of modern rural estate management, aiming to foster new ideas and skills for the future workforce.
The three-year agreement formalises collaboration across education, research, professional development, and knowledge exchange, with a shared ambition to support thriving rural communities and sustainable land management.
