The Prince’s Foundation has received planning permission for a new education centre at its Dumfries House headquarters in Scotland.
Since 2017, the charity has earned recognition as a flag-bearer for promoting education, training and employment in the farming and rural skills sector.
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Under plans which have now been approved by East Ayrshire Council, the foundation plans to expand its offering with a rural skills training facility, which will lie adjacent to the estate’s commercial Home Farm.
The facility will host events and workshops for around 1,800 participants each year, including secondary school pupils, school leavers showing an interest in land-based careers, and adult learners looking for new careers as well as farming and rural sector workers looking to upskill.
The foundation’s Field to Fork programme is one such project that will benefit from these plans.
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The programme provides an introduction to gardening, food preparation and the use of fresh produce as a route to eating well with a focus on sustainability.
It is open to schools across the country, with day visits available to book.
The new plans will allow this programme to grow to reach even more youngsters to increase their awareness of the benefits of fresh food.
Speaking about the exciting new plans, Gordon Neil, an executive director of the Prince’s Foundation based at Dumfries House said: “This development will allow The Prince’s Foundation to carry out important work in agricultural education at an impressive new facility next to Home Farm on Dumfries House estate, our headquarters.
“Our charity already practises and passes on traditional and rural skills, and this new development will build on our work to encourage the next generation to learn such skills and consider careers in rural industries.”
Further plans about the extension will be releases in due course.
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