Innovative ‘agri-hub’ opens on college campus
A £2.4m agriculture and engineering hub at York’s Askham Bryan College has officially opened.
The Lance Gilling Building features a suite of lecture rooms with the latest IT technology, farm information room, offices and a 900sq m double height work shop with specialist equipment.
It will be the focus of the practical studies by students studying agriculture and land based engineering and complements existing facilities on the site.
Askham Bryan College is the fastest growing college in England, specialising in further and higher education across the rural sector, including agriculture, horticulture, engineering, animal management and countryside management.
Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, opened the building, named after the late Lance Gilling, a leading agriculturalist and the college’s longest serving principal.
Guests included Barry Dodd, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership which has supported the project.
Campus principal Dr Tim Whitaker said: “It is vital for us to ensure our students graduate with a deep understanding and all the technical competencies needed in precision agriculture and on the connected farm. Askham Bryan College has been a trail blazer in providing first class education and practical experience for young people.”
“The LEP has invested and developed the bio-economy and agri tech within the Yorkshire region substantially. This building, as a joint venture with the LEP is tangible proof of that.”
