Triumph of Talent at College Farm’s Spring Show

“The show is all about them and celebrating the skills and knowledge they have gained from their time with us.”

Our talented land-based students stole the limelight at our annual Wigfield Farm Spring Show with an impressive showcase of animals. It was bustling with members of the public who came to see the students showcasing a range of animals, running interactive sessions and selling handmade items.

The day started with a spectacular Equine Show presented by Level 3 Animal Care (Practical Skills) students, demonstrating their exceptional training skills and expertise. This was followed by the students taking part in the College’s first-ever showing of the halter-trained Llamas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1 Animal Care (Practical Skills) and Level 2 Animal Care (Practical Skills) then presented the farm’s guinea pigs, poultry and rabbits, with them presenting the animals to compete in categories, such as Best Handler and Best Presented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interactive sessions ran throughout the event, with students leading meet and greet sessions in the farm’s Exotics room, for the public to meet insects and reptiles, as well as meeting this year’s lambs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding to the event, students also organised ferret races every half an hour with a custom-built course designed by the Agriculture students to provide entertainment for all ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final livestock shows were judged by local farmer, Richard Walker, with Level 3 Animal Care (Practical Skills) students showing sheep and the college’s first cohort of Level 2 Agriculture students showing the three-month-old jersey cows donated by Longley Farm as well as a variety of pigs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horticulture students used their knowledge of plants and soil to create vibrant floral hanging baskets, seedlings and flower displays which were sold at the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria Walker, a current Level 3 Animal Care (Practical Skills) student, who took part in the Sheep Showing, said: “The Spring Show was a truly enjoyable event for me. Leading sheep and witnessing other land-based students showcasing their skills on the farm has been a highlight.

“I aspire to work with either horses or sheep after college and today’s experience will certainly help with that. It was a lot of hard work to train the sheep but it all paid off!”

Peter Wood, Head of Department for Land-based Industries at Barnsley College, added: “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who attended the event and celebrated our student’s progress and achievements.

“We are immensely proud of our students for their hard work and determination at this year’s Spring Show; the show is all about them and celebrating the skills and knowledge they have gained from their time with us and actively participating in the day-to-day operations of the farm.”

Richard Walker, Contract Shepherd and Associate with Farm Management judged the sheep, cattle and pig categories. He said: “It was a great honour to be asked to judge the livestock categories at the Wigfield Farm Spring Show for the third consecutive year.

“The enthusiasm displayed by the students and the exceptional quality of the selected livestock, go hand in hand in applauding the commitment and hard work, of the students and the staff on the farm site.”

We offer a range of full and part-time vocational courses and apprenticeships in Agriculture, Animal Management and Horticulture. For more information and to apply for a course starting in September, visit www.barnsley.ac.uk/animal or www.barnsley.ac.uk/horticulture. Alternatively, contact the Information Team by emailing info@barnsley.ac.uk or calling 01226 216 123.