Lower Four Visit Plumpton College
04/07/2012
On Thursday 28 June, the Lower Four took off to Plumpton College at the foot of the picturesque South Downs. Located on the East and West Sussex boarder, Plumpton College is an agricultural college and a centre for sustainable food, forestry and farming. This was the perfect place to visit, having recently studied farming in the UK, sustainability, and how farmers are adapting to the challenges they face.
The day began with an introduction to the history of the college, what they do there and why. Then the girls put on their wellies and headed outside where they saw everything from tiny piglets to great big sows and also toured the dairy. They learnt about how the cows are kept and the science behind it all, and were very surprised to find out how much I.T. is involved in farming!
In the afternoon the girls watched a short film about the college in the 1930s which showed students wearing shirts and ties, feeding the pigs! They were introduced to a topological map of the site and taught all about the different features of the land and why certain crops and livestock were kept in certain areas of the farm.
The day ended at the milking parlour where the cows queue up, feed and then follow the herd out of the shed all in a very quick, 2.5 minute process that has come a long way since the days of sitting on a milking stool and milking the cow by hand!
An enjoyable, interesting and sunny day was had by all at Plumpton College and Mrs Jonnes will definitely be taking another group there next year.
