Launching new Farming and Rural Skills course to train the next generation of farmers and countryside stewards
Applications are now open for a new education programme from The King’s Foundation, Introduction to Farming and Rural Skills, which will train participants for careers that will protect our countryside for future generations. The course will take place this autumn at our charity headquarters, Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Designed to provide hands-on experience of working in agriculture, the seven-week programme offers a pathway into the farming sector for those seeking a new career opportunity, or hoping to expand their existing skills.
The programme will run from Monday 13th October until Friday 28th November 2025 and will be based at the MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre on the Dumfries House estate, which was opened by His Majesty King Charles III in 2023. The programme is open to adults aged 18 and over, and is offered free of charge.
“We are delighted to be launching our Introduction to Farming and Rural Skills programme, designed to open doors for people who may never have considered a future in agriculture. The course is based on the same successful model we’ve developed through our long-running Introduction to Hospitality course, blending practical experience, industry engagement, and personal development to help participants move confidently into employment or further training. We are excited to see the countryside success stories that will no doubt come from this course in the future!”
Jacqueline Farrell, Education Director, The King’s Foundation
The MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre is a purpose-built facility located on the working Dumfries House estate farm, which is home to a wide range of animals and specialises in rare breeds. The Centre and farm form a key part of our education work on the Dumfries House estate.
Participants on the course will first take part in four weeks of training on site delivered by experienced practitioners, covering a wide range of practical rural skills from sheep and cattle care, feeding, housing and handling of cattle, as well as fencing and dry-stone walling. This will be followed by a two-week farming placement designed to offer hands-on experience of the role. The final week of the programme will focus on employability, and will support participants in identifying next steps into work or further training.
As part of the course, we offer free transport to and from Dumfries House from both Cumnock bus station and Auchinleck train station, ensuring accessibility for participants across the region. All equipment required for the course will also be provided.
Applications are open now and will close on Monday 22nd September 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview during the week commencing 29th September, with a taster and information day scheduled for Tuesday 7th October.