2025 is an important year in cementing the working relationship between WSGA and Brinsbury College. Brinsbury became members of WSGA this year and as part of the Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region project, we have been working together to look at how 5G-enabled technology can benefit the horticulture sector.
We recognise that as training providers of Level 1 and Level 2 Horticulture courses, Brinsbury are responsible for the foundational training of young people who will ensure commercial horticulture continues to be successful in decades to come. Commercial growers must contribute to the curriculum, to ensure these young people are better prepared when entering the workplace.
The team at WSGA have been working with Jim Allison and Paul Burry at Brinsbury College to facilitate this.
On 22nd September, Rachael Williams spoke to more than 45 students and lecturers about the commercial horticulture sector in West Sussex and the diversity of careers available from growing to agronomy; data analysts to engineers.
On 13th October, the same group of students travelled over to East Chichester to see two commercial growers: The Greenhouse Sussex who grow vine cherry tomatoes in Barnham and Wicks Farm who grow premium strawberries in Ford. As well as a full tour of the tomato growing and packing operation, Duncan Toms and his team at The Greenhouse Sussex introduced students to protective clothing and hygiene rules to prevent spread of diseases such as Brown Rugose Virus in tomatoes.
David Moore and his team at Wicks Farm talked students through the evolution of their A frame structure for optimal growing of strawberries and and use of LED lights to allow growing of fruit in the UK 365 days of the year. Both farms highlighted the importance of climate computers and the trending of data to maximise both the yields and quality of fruit production. Students then enjoyed a strawberry tasting session and took cherry tomatoes back home with them.
Visits such as these are planned to become a regular feature with growers offering further project work for students, such as visiting in February to collect young tomato plants to take back to college and grow on and work experience for students with an interest in commercial horticulture.
Brinsbury L2 Horticulture students with Trainee Tomato Grower Adam Pranskus at The Greenhouse Sussex
