A new leadership course designed by farmers has been launched at Myerscough College to ensure the future of the farming industry.

The Young Farmers Leadership Academy will run until October at the college’s Food and Farming Innovation and Technology Centre, teaching aspiring farmers the leadership and management skills needed to run a successful farming business.

Consisting of six two-day workshops, the course has received the financial backing of the Prince’s Countryside Fund, which exists to secure the future of the countryside, and support the farming industry.

A range of guests speakers have already been confirmed to visit students undertaking the course, including Ciara Gorst, head of agriculture at the Co-operative and Oliver McIntyre, the national agriculture strategy director for Barclays Bank.

“The academy has been set up in response to a call from the farming industry for Myerscough to develop a leadership course for future farming leaders,” said Craig Thompson, the college’s head of agriculture and countryside. “The delegates left having really enjoyed the course and were brimming full of thoughts on their own leadership skills and how to use them in developing their career and businesses in which they work.”