[J]ames Todd, has returned to his Cumbrian roots after being appointed the new Farms Manager at Newton Rigg, Askham Bryan College’s Penrith centre. James joins the College’s agriculture team after gaining extensive farming experience in Scotland and Shropshire as well as in his home county.
Matt Bagley, Head of Farms commented: “James comes highly recommended to us with broad technical and practical knowledge, particularly in dairying. He also has the drive and enthusiasm needed to take forward our farms which are a vital part of our students’ education.”
James will be responsible for ‘Sewborwens’, the home farm, where a state of the art dairy unit operates, as well as Low Beckside, the hill farm situated at Mungrisdale where the Sheep Husbandry Training Centre opened earlier this year.
On his appointment James said: “I’m excited to bring my expertise to the role. After spending the last four years managing a 370 herd of pedigree Holsteins at Skirwith Hall Farms near Penrith, I’m looking forward to the challenges the college’s dairy unit and Sheep Husbandry Training Centre will deliver.” Originally from near Hayton, West Cumbria, James now lives in Blencarn, Penrith.
Askham Bryan College specialises in land-based courses – from diploma level through to degrees, attracting students from across the country. It also has an extensive range of apprenticeship programmes.
