The first fellows of the new LSA Charitable Trust scheme gathered at the AHDB SmartHort conference in March to kick off their programme.
The LSA Charitable Trust scheme was launched at the start of the year, and aims to develop new leaders in Britain’s horticulture industry. The fellows were drawn from a variety of sectors in the sector who will take part in a two year training programme.
The fellows are Charles Croft, APS produce; Lucille Gilpin, Ballytrone Nurseries; Daniel Meuldyk, James Coles & Sons Nurseries Ltd; Matt Boyns, JW European Ltd; Jason Daff, University of Cambridge and Libby Rowland, from Vitacress Herbs.
The scheme is supported by the NFU, British Growers Association, The Horticultural Trades Association, the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and the AHDB.
AHDB launched their first SmartHort conference to bridge the gap between innovation and the horticulture industry. AHDB hosted the fellows at the event, and they were able to partake in the two conference hearing presentations on the robots and human working together, innovations in disease detection to soft robotics handling delicate crops.
Speaking at the conference, Vitacress’ Libby Rowland said: “The conference reiterated the importance of technological support for our current labour force in the face of a changing political and global climate.”
Cambridge University’s Jason Daff added: “There is progress in the robotics and automation sector that will eventually benefit UK Horticulture. While the mechanical and electronic problems are relatively straightforward to solve, the underpinning artificial intelligence and deep learning still needs development to enable the technology to be used to full advantage”
LSA will open applications for the next cohort of fellows later in the year, with further details available at www.lsactfellowship.org
More information on the scheme and how to apply in 2019 can be obtained from Coral Russell at British Growers email:Coral.russell@britishgrowers.org, tel: 07881 295616
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