Poots welcomes Sustainable Agriculture Degree Students to CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus

Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots MLA has welcomed the first students to be enrolled onto CAFRE’s new Honours Degree in Sustainable Agriculture, which is validated by the Ulster University.

Speaking at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus in County Antrim, where he met some of the students who are studying for this new Honours Degree, Minister Poots said: “By offering this new degree, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), is demonstrating the growing importance of the environment and the need for increased productivity and resilience in the agri-food industry. On completing this degree, graduates will have the knowledge and skills to drive innovation and shape the future landscape of our agri-businesses.

“For over 100 years, CAFRE has developed and evolved to meet the changing needs of the agri-food industry.  The launch of this degree shows how CAFRE’s progressive curriculum development will continue to educate the leaders and decision-makers of the future.” 

Matthew Brown, from Moneymore, is a first year student on the Sustainable Agriculture Degree. Outlining his reasons for signing up for this course he said: “I heard about this Honours Degree when it was launched last year.  I am very interested in sustainability and the relationship between agriculture and the environment. I applied through UCAS and I was motivated to focus on my studies.  I am delighted to be in the first group of students studying for this degree at Greenmount Campus where the educational facilities are really brilliant.”

Manus McHenry, Head of Agriculture Education at CAFRE commented: “I am pleased by the interest and uptake of the new degree, which is validated by Ulster University. We have 32 students enrolled in the first year and 20 more students who have enrolled in third year after completing foundation degrees.

“I encourage anyone who is interested in a career in our agri-food industry to visit CAFRE’s website and explore their options for future study.”

Further details and contact information can be found on the CAFRE website.

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo Caption: Minister Poots met with a selection of students studying at CAFRE who have enrolled on the new Sustainable Agriculture Honours Degree course. The Greenmount Campus students included Luke Norris (Articlave), Dearbhle McLaughlin (Dunloy), Kirsty Wallace (Crumlin) and Matthew Brown (Moneymore). For course information, visit the CAFRE website.
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