Students from Sparsholt College successfully ploughed through the day and night completing their annual 24 Hour Ploughathon this December. The student team operated tractors and ploughs, non stop. The Agriculture Department students raised well over £1,500 in aid of Bowel Cancer UK, a worthy cause that has affected the loved ones of some students.
This occasion marked the fifth annual Ploughathon event organised by Sparsholt students. Set on local farm land, this year’s Level 3 students managed to plough a total of 90 acres in the 24-hour time frame, putting the acquired skills and knowledge from their course to strong use. As well as the practicalities of ploughing, students were also required to deploy new skills from event organisation to marketing.
Agriculture lecturer, Nick Bevan was thrilled with the event as the students’ strong motivation ensured a seamless day of ploughing. Nick said: ‘We are really pleased with how committed the students were to the challenge, from the organising phase right through to ploughing. They did a very professional job. It is encouraging to see how accomplished they all were applying key employment skills that will aid them to pursue successful careers when they finish their courses and head into the agriculture industry.”
Sparsholt College’s Farm Manager, Graham Boyt said: This year’s Ploughathon received great support, from all those who donated to Mr Jonathon Kimber, whose land was used for the ploughing. TH White Ltd also kindly supplied the Sparsholt team with a tractor for students to operate during the event alongside the College’s John Deere 6130R tractor.”
Graham continued: “Every year, the Ploughathon provides students with a great opportunity to showcase expert skills gained from their course whilst simultaneously helping to raise money for incredible charities and causes. It is a rewarding experience in many ways for the Agriculture students at Sparsholt College.”
Become tomorrow’s expert in Agriculture. From learning to operate state-of-the-art tractors to handling livestock, Sparsholt’s countryside campus offers all you need to develop the skills needed to succeed in the industry. Find out more and secure a place for 2017 now
Photos courtesy of Sparsholt College Action and Wildlife Photography student, Katie Cox.