Online course raises awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion in agriculture

The course is the work of Nuffield Farming Scholarships,  and sponsored by McDonald’s and The School of Sustainable Food & Farming at Harper Adams University. 

The programme is also being supported by AHDB and the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust.

Organisers say agriculture is one of the least diverse industries in the UK, including ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation and especially in leadership and management roles. 

“A small group of Nuffield Farming Scholars wanted to take action on this important issue and create an opportunity for fellow farmers and rural community members to further their own understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion,” explained Wyn Owen, chair of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.

 “A proposal for the project was presented to the director and trustees, who gave their full support, and AgDiversity was born. This is Nuffield Farming at its absolute best, with our Scholars taking the lead and creating positive change in agriculture, and I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved in the trust’s name.”

 AgDiversity is a bespoke course created specifically for those involved in agricultural, rural and land-based industries. It is open to anyone wishing to learn more about DEI for a fee of £30.

 Laura Henderson, Vice President, McDonald’s UK & Ireland Supply Chain, said: “We are really proud to be involved in AgDiversity. At McDonald’s we’re committed to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion at work, both within our business and throughout our supply chain. 

!Through this industry-leading partnership we are not only driving awareness of this agenda, but also working towards creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can bring themselves to work - something that strongly aligns with our ongoing efforts to drive meaningful change in this space.”

 Users who complete the AgDiversity course will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to be listed on the AgDiversity Participant Database, supported by the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust. 

The database will be available on the Nuffield Farming website to help students, job seekers and others to identify farms and businesses that are investing in DEI awareness as a positive signal to those from underrepresented groups in search of a place to work.

Professor Michael Lee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, said:  “A more diverse food and farming sector is a stronger food and farming sector. 

"Bringing new faces and fresh thinking into the industry can only be a good thing, and it’s something which drives the work of both the School of Sustainable Food and Farming and Harper Adams University more widely.

"With that in mind, it is great to see this new course launched by Nuffield Farming Scholarships – and we’re delighted to lend our support!”

 The course was launched with a panel discussing diversity and inclusion in agriculture, the need for better understanding, and the importance of the issue to the industry’s future success. 

Panellists included DEI advocate and farm vet Navaratnam Partheeban OBE NSch, organic mixed farmer Polly Davies, farmer and AgRespect member Micky Wright, Paralympian Kendra Hall NSch, and farmer and co-founder of Inclusive Farm Mike Duxbury.

The session was chaired by Alex Hardie from the School of Sustainable Food and Farming.

Panellist Polly Davies, who advocates for women in the arable sector, said:  "I would highly recommend that everyone complete AgDiversity – I have never done any diversity courses before, and it was excellent. 

"It’s a really good course that gives tangible actions to help you, like thinking slower, which is one that I took away. I would encourage anyone that is involved in farming to just get their teeth into it. It’s so well-written and so agriculturally focussed that anyone can get something out of this.”

To learn more and access AgDiversity, please visit www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity.