A new online learning course aimed at raising awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues within UK agriculture has been launched by Nuffield Farming Scholarships, with sponsorship from McDonald’s and The School of Sustainable Food & Farming at Harper Adams University.
The agricultural sector is one of the least diverse industries in the UK, with significant gaps across areas like ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation, especially within leadership and management roles. These gaps present considerable challenges, particularly around recruitment and building positive relations with the wider public. A major obstacle to achieving greater inclusivity is a lack of awareness amongst many in the sector about how to relate to and communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds.
The newly launched course, named AgDiversity, aims to address this issue by educating those in the agricultural community about DEI and providing practical tools to create a more inclusive environment. As Wyn Owen, Chair of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, put it: “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. 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.”
A First for UK Agriculture
AgDiversity is a bespoke course designed specifically for those involved in the agricultural, rural, and land-based industries. It is open to anyone wishing to learn more about DEI for a modest fee of £30.00 – making it one of the most accessible courses of its kind. On completion, participants will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to be listed on the AgDiversity Participant Database, a resource supported by the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust, designed to help job seekers identify farms and businesses that are investing in DEI awareness.
McDonald’s UK & Ireland has played a key role in sponsoring the project. Laura Henderson, Vice President of McDonald’s UK & Ireland Supply Chain, highlighted the company’s commitment to this cause: “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.”
Positive Signals for Industry Future
The course’s launch event, held on 23rd October, featured a panel discussion on the importance of diversity and inclusion in agriculture. The panel was made up of prominent DEI advocates and industry experts, including Navaratnam Partheeban OBE NSch, farm vet and DEI advocate; Polly Davies, an organic mixed farmer; Micky Wright, a farmer and AgRespect member; Kendra Hall NSch, a Paralympian; and Mike Duxbury, co-founder of Inclusive Farm. The session, chaired by Alex Hardie from the School of Sustainable Food and Farming, covered how better understanding of diversity issues is crucial to the industry's future success.
Panellist Polly Davies, known for her advocacy for women in the arable sector, gave a strong endorsement of the AgDiversity course: “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.”
The event took place in the picturesque setting of a 16th century barn at Romshed Farm, which also serves as a host farm for The Country Trust, providing underprivileged children with access to food, farming, and countryside experiences.
A Stronger Future Through Diversity
Speaking on behalf of Harper Adams University, Professor Michael Lee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, emphasised the need for diversity: “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!”
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