The official opening recently took place of a new education and research facility at Harper Adams University, including the Frontier Crops Centre. The construction of the Centre was supported by a donation of £170,000 from Frontier. The Centre will be used to accommodate staff and research students engaged in crop or crop-related activities, as well as providing a new base for on-farm teaching.
The opening event took place on 15th June, 2012 and was attended by Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Sir John Beddington.
The Frontier Crops Centre is housed in a redeveloped former barn along one wing of the historic Ancellor Yard, part of the original home of Thomas Harper Adams, after whom the University College is named.
The redevelopment of Ancellor Yard is part of the University College's strategy for ensuring that students have access to top class facilities for their agricultural higher education. In addition, the new accommodation provides much needed space for expanding numbers of research students and staff engaged in crop-related applied research projects.
Mark Aitchison, Frontier's Managing Director, said: "This is a significant financial commitment but it's one we are delighted to make. At Frontier, we recognise that if we want to continue to employ the best talent in agriculture then it's vital to invest in the next generation."
Commenting on the project, Harper Adams Principal Dr David Llewellyn said: "The generous donation from Frontier has enabled us to expand our research and teaching activities on the University College farm, and build on our resources for farm-based higher education. We are extremely pleased to have gained the support of Frontier for this scheme, and we hope it will form the basis for other collaborations between the company and the University College that will be of lasting benefit to the agricultural sector."
