25th March 2025
At the heart of Duchy College and Bicton College is the Rural Business School (RBS). It plays a vital role in shaping the future of sustainable land management.
As environmental challenges intensify, RBS supports innovation, skills development and practical solutions across farming, food security and rural enterprise.
With strong industry ties, expert staff and modern facilities, the RBS is committed to meeting legal and environmental obligations while aligning with national policy priorities such as net zero, water quality and nature recovery.
RBS’s work directly supports government strategies under the Environment and Agriculture Acts and collaborates closely with key partners including the Duchy of Cornwall Estate and Cornwall Council.
With a strong legacy and forward-thinking vision, RBS is currently spearheading several impactful initiatives designed to support farmers, enhance natural resource management and build a more resilient rural economy.
One of RBS’s most exciting current projects is Agri Carbon Kernow. This project has supported 53 farms in Cornwall with plans for decarbonisation, nature recovery and water resource management. It offers farmers across Cornwall free support to help reduce their carbon footprint, boost water resilience and better understand the natural assets on their farms.
Building on the momentum of the widely respected Farm Net Zero project, Agri Carbon Kernow is part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is already making a real difference on the ground.
Farm Net Zero is a collaborative partnership involving RBS, Farm Carbon Toolkit, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Soil Association, Innovative Farmers, Innovation for Agriculture and Just Farmers. The project’s primary goal is to monitor and support 43 farms in East Cornwall through annual soil sampling and carbon footprint assessments, encouraging reductions in carbon emissions and fostering knowledge sharing among farmers and the wider community, with more than 600 attendees benefiting from the Farm Net Zero events.
The Water Net Gain project demonstrates how farms can create freshwater pond networks to protect watercourses against drought, converting a farm liability into an asset.
The recent development of a demonstration site for natural flood management along two of its Stoke Climsland streams aims to protect businesses and communities in the Luckett catchment.
In addition, Duchy College supports Cornwall Council through RBS initiatives, to monitor the impact of the county-wide Forest for Cornwall Agroforestry Exemplar programme.
The Environmental Space Living Laboratory at Bicton, funded with £365k, has revitalised the Earth building to facilitate community, industry and government engagement on critical issues like land-use, food security, climate change and the environmental emergency.
The Entrepreneurial Futures project, in collaboration with several universities, established an Agri-Environmental Living Lab at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, providing £250k to upgrade facilities and integrate technology to benefit the farm, teaching and external engagement.
A Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement provides £125k for capital establishment costs and nearly £20k in annual revenue for ecosystem services on the Stoke Climsland Home Farm, reinforcing the college’s commitment to sustainable land management. The RBS team will be essential to meeting the natural capital and net zero commitments to the landlords.
RBS is also proud to nurture leadership within rural industries. The Challenge of Rural Leadership course is a flagship programme that continues to attract delegates from around the globe. The programme, run for the Worshipful Company of Farmers, has a network of nearly 500 alumni who hold influential roles in the land-based sector.
RBS initiatives have led to the college’s co-founding of Rootstock, the Southwest’s most successful regenerative farming conference; SW AgriTech, the region’s largest celebration of technology in agriculture; the Devon AgriTech Alliance; and the Environmental Space Living Lab.
RBS is actively involved in developing strategy at local and national levels, including participation in the Traceability Design User Group, the Net Zero Methane Hub, Sustainable Food Cornwall, and the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Agrifood Strategy and Action Plan, ensuring that Cornwall College is at the forefront of policy development.
Now in its 24th year, the course has earned a reputation for inspiring change-makers, building networks and delivering transformative learning experiences for those working in rural sectors.
The work of the Rural Business School exemplifies Duchy College’s commitment to shaping a sustainable, thriving future for rural communities. Whether it’s supporting climate-friendly farming practices, enhancing natural ecosystems or developing tomorrow’s leaders, RBS is at the forefront of rural innovation and excellence.
Robin Jackson, Director of the RBS, expressed: “There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in sustainable farming. Our projects are not just about reducing carbon, they’re about empowering farmers with the tools, knowledge and confidence to lead the change. Cornwall is at the forefront of a green rural revolution and we’re proud to be part of that journey.”
RBS is also proud to support and celebrate the next generation of rural professionals. Recently, two outstanding Duchy College students received the 2024 Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries.
Jacob Frost, winner of the Further Education Bursary, discovered a passion for organic farming through his research and has been gaining valuable hands-on experience on the ground. His commitment to putting sustainable principles into practice is truly inspiring.
Meanwhile, Imogen Ellis, recipient of the Higher Education Bursary, has shown remarkable resilience transitioning from teaching to a full-time farming career. Her focus on the nutritional value of UK farm-to-food systems reflects a forward-thinking approach to modern agriculture.
“These students are fantastic examples of the talent and drive coming out of Duchy College,” added Jackson. “Their passion and dedication to the future of farming give us all reason to be optimistic.”
To find out more about opportunities at the Rural Business School, visit theirwebsite.
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