New farm supports plan to transform the future of food

The University has completed the purchase of land at Tanners Farm, Farley, and announced its ambition to transform the future of food and farming through research.

The purchase of the 635-acre site, close to our existing facilities at Hall Farm near Arborfield, will ensure there is ample space to continue the University’s world-class research regardless of upcoming Wokingham Borough Council decisions on its local plan, which may allocate parts of Hall Farm for a new garden village.

The purchase comes as our new Agrifood Futures Strategy has been agreed today, which outlines a long-term, high-level strategy for our agrifood research, including how the new farm could be used, and aims to address challenges facing the global food system.

Land purchase

The purchase of Tanners Farm for close to £16m has been funded through the University’s long-term capital investment funds, using cash raised from the sale of shares from the University’s investment portfolio.

The new land could, in time, provide new facilities for farming research and education. In the meantime, it will be held as an investment asset and leased to existing users, meaning the University’s overall investment asset capital remains broadly unchanged.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, said: “The study of food and farming has been at the heart of the University’s work for more than a century. This investment will secure the future of agriculture at Reading for the next century to come.  

“This is another important step to raise Reading’s position among the world’s best for agricultural research. In time, this new farm will give our researchers the ability to find answers to critical questions of food security and sustainability. It will provide our students with hands-on experience as they train to become our future food growers and the stewards of the countryside.”

The new farm adds to the University’s existing agricultural facilities around Reading, which includes mixed farmland and facilities in Arborfield, Shinfield and Sonning. 

Agrifood Futures Strategy

The Agrifood Futures Strategy was the result of an 18-month scoping exercise, developed with input from colleagues across the University, and was approved by Council today (Monday 1 July).

The strategy looks to position Reading to address some of the most important and complex challenges facing the global food system of 2050. It will ensure that future research aligns to our vision for everyone globally to be able to consume a sufficient, healthy, sustainable and affordable diet that leaves the lightest possible footprint on the planet.

It also seeks to consolidate Reading’s position as one of the top universities for Agriculture and Forestry.

The strategy identifies three interlinked priority research areas, focusing on transformation to a resilient and fair food system; environmentally friendly farming systems; and developing healthy and sustainable foods.

It also lists some high-level investment opportunities which have the potential to deliver transformative research that will have real-world impact and build Reading’s distinctive identity.

Work will now begin to implement the strategy, identifying priorities, considering support mechanisms for interdisciplinary research, and drawing on expertise in climate and environmental sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities in order to achieve system-wide change. It will also include further feasibility work on the investment opportunities, allowing them to be scrutinised in detail.

Please email agrifoodscoping@reading.ac.uk for a copy of the report. A summary of the Agrifood Futures Strategy will be developed for external audiences over the summer, so at this stage the report is only for internal audiences and should not be shared beyond the University.

Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), said: “The Agrifood Futures Strategy is an exciting and ambitious strategy for agrifood research at Reading and will build on our reputation as one of the leading institutions for agriculture and food research and innovation globally.

“The high level of engagement from colleagues, whose diverse perspectives and expertise, along with input from our External Advisory Panel, has been invaluable in shaping the strategy.”