An open letter to Prince William
Prince William has started a 10-week agricultural management course at Cambridge University this week, in preparation for his eventual role running the Duchy of Cornwall.
The Duke of Cambridge is studying agricultural management on a course organised by the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership at the university.
He will have 20 hours of teaching time each week, including work in small groups as well as one-to-one tuition and his own additional reading.
The Duke will be taught by academics specialising in geography, land economy and plant sciences. He will also go on a series of field trips.
Study modules are expected to include rural and planning policy, farming and supply chains, site management, agricultural policy and conservation governance.
Farmers Weekly chief reporter Johann Tasker has written an open letter to Prince William as he embarked on his time as an agricultural student. The letter is reproduced below.
Dear Prince William,
As many farmers quietly acknowledge, it’s a proud time – and usually something of a relief – when a child of working age finally shows an interest in taking on the family business.
After all, finding a suitable successor isn’t always easy and we need more new entrants to agriculture.
So I am sure your dad is as pleased as we were to learn you are embarking on a 10-week course at Cambridge University with a view to eventually taking the reins at the Duchy of Cornwall.
True, 10 weeks isn’t a long time to learn about farming. However, the Duchy isn’t an ordinary farm business and it isn’t as if you are going to be hands-on farming.
Even if you studied for a lifetime, you would never know it all. Many of us working within the industry are still learning about better ways to farm – even though we graduated from agricultural college long ago.
Some people have suggested you’d be better off studying full-time at Harper Adams University or even the aptly named Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester.
Maybe that’s right. But I can see that a short bespoke course at Cambridge has its attractions.
I realise too that as heir to the throne you have many demands on your time – not least the demands of your young family.
So we’re honoured that you’ve chosen a future in farming. Many other industries would be only too pleased to have what amounts to royal patronage.
You’ll learn that farming is full of ideas and opinions, many of which are strongly held. Sometimes it seems there are as many opinions as there are farmers – and more besides.
Even non-farmers often seem to know how best to farm – even though they have never milked a cow or driven a tractor.
In an industry of opinions, many farmers disagree with your dad’s pro-organic farming philosophy. I say “each to their own”.
One thing is certain, organic or otherwise, Prince Charles’ involvement in agriculture over the years has raised farming’s profile and kept it in the public eye – more often than not for the better.
He has been a strong champion of British agriculture and we hope you’ll continue in that vein.
You’ll have your own way of doing things, that’s for sure – and doubtless the occasional run-in with the old man when you want to try something different that isn’t to his way of thinking. We’ve all been there – farmers and non-farmers alike.
It’s hard enough sometimes to persuade the next generation to go into farming. But I guess when you’re a member of the Royal family, there’s not so much choice. Doing one’s duty extends to doing what’s right for your country, as well as for your family.
But I like to believe you have decided to study farming because you are genuinely interested in agriculture and rural life, and not just because it is the “right thing to do”.
You’ll find that feeding the world is one of the most rewarding careers in the world – and I wish you all the best.
Yours sincerely,
Johann Tasker
Chief reporter, Farmers Weekly
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