Age is No Barrier to Learning at Barony Campus!

You are never too old to learn at Scotland’s Rural Collge (SRUC) Barony Campus, and paying testament to this is 74 year old John Maxwell of Netherwood Farm, Dumfries.
John’s family has been farming in the region since 1863, first in the Garroch, then Glengower and have been at Netherwood since 1940. He recently completed and passed his PA1 and PA2 courses in Pesticide Application under the supportive tuition of Andrew Marshall, Agriculture lecturer at SRUC Barony.
Not only did John gain his qualification, he said it boosted his confidence. The last test John sat was his driving test many years ago so he was naturally nervous and worried about the course: “Even after the first session I was convinced I wouldn’t manage to pass, and when I got home my young grandson noticed that I was upset. But I was determined to pass the course and I did and I am so relieved. Even though I felt daunted to start with, my advice to others would be not to worry and just pay attention to the instructor – listen and learn, and you will do okay.
When asked about the content of the Pesticide Application courses, John’s view is: “It’s actually the same principle as before but it’s just done differently now with modern technology. I now know about the proper labelling, exactly what each chemical does and the pathways for the chemicals on the sprayer. I think the assessment was fair and square and actually I was finished before the young lad!
“Some might think I was too old to back to college and that I should be retiring, but to me farming is my life so as long as I am here I will be farming!”
Rachel Fraser, Training Manager at Barony Campus said: “Our aim is to make sure all our students across all backgrounds and age ranges feel comfortable with what we are teaching. Our instructors understand the anxiety that some people feel when they come into a College environment after not having completed any learning for some time. What is important at SRUC is that our learners not only gain new skills and qualifications, but grow in confidence.”
From the end of November, the Grandfather clause ended and there is now a legal requirement for those buying and using Plant Protection Products (PPP) which includes pesticides for professional use. Previously, those born before 31 December 1964 could use pesticides responsibly on their or their employer’s land without certification. The new legislation requires those buying pesticides and using pesticides to hold the relevant qualification.). This has led to a large number of people undertaking the course at SRUC Barony.
As a fairly fresh faced farmer, John’s course mate Adam Simpson (27), of Cutcloy Farm, Isle of Whithorn, Newton Stewart also passed with flying colours. Speaking about the course Adam said:
“I am the 5th generation working on the family farm, so being of the youngest generation we decided that I should gain the required qualification in pesticides. I actually studied my degree in Agriculture with SRUC (when it was called the SAC) in Edinburgh, so I knew the training course would be of a good quality. And it was, the course was excellent – I hadn’t done any pesticide spraying before hand so I learnt it all here. Barony campus is a really good learning environment and I would highly recommend this course.
“Even I felt a bit daunted coming back to the classroom after six years working on the farm, so I can’t imagine how John must have felt! He was quiet in the classroom but as soon as we got outside and into the fields he was a different person – he came alive and seemed at home. I could see that farming is his passion and his life which was inspiring to witness.”
John and Adam’s experience of coming to College to complete their training will hopefully encourage others in the local community who may also be hesitant about completing their courses, and at Barony Campus we know that all our leaners will feel supported and encouraged to succeed in any course the embark upon.
In the last year over 1200 people have completed short courses run by SRUC Barony, of which 300 people attended one of our pesticide courses. Our courses cover a large range of subjects ranging from ATVs, telehandlers through to pesticides, chainsaws and forest machinery. For more information on them please contact David Spencer, Training Administrator [email protected]/ 01387 242918