Our impact
What the Company achieves
We are proud of the impact we have on UK agriculture. We support education — particularly of younger students — and we work hard to promote and support our industry.
- 95 courses held since 1963
- 1,700 students have completed them
- 300 active members of the Alumni Association
- £40,000 a year towards younger students
Four strands
Where the work goes
Our core activity
Education
- 95 courses held since 1963, completed by 1,700 students.
- 300 active members of the Alumni Association.
- The annual Learning Extension Day at Cranfield, for the continuing professional development of our alumni.
- Two students supported every year at the Oxford Farming Conference.
- The annual Agricultural Lecture, given by a prominent industry leader and attracting some 300 influential practitioners.
Grants and awards
Supporting younger students
- About £40,000 a year towards the agricultural education of younger students, through scholarships, apprenticeships and college prizes.
In the City and beyond
Promoting the industry
- We help organise the seminal City Food Lecture, held annually.
- We have a major role in the Lord Mayor’s Show.
- We hold Question Time with major industry influencers.
- We take part in pan-livery events, from the Pancake Race to golf, skiing and clay pigeon shooting.
Practical support
Supporting the industry
- We assist with the running of the City Farms movement, especially at Surrey Docks.
- We publish an annual research report, sponsored by the Master.
Where the money comes from
How the Company is funded
Since its foundation in 1946 the Company has run a programme of charitable activity focused chiefly on education and scholarship within agriculture. It is the generous bequests of earlier Liverymen that enabled its development, and that still help fund the administration of our courses.
Through careful management of our endowments, plus the levy paid by present-day Liverymen, we are able to carry out our programme of apprenticeships, scholarships, research and other charitable giving.
The Worshipful Company of Farmers is not a wealthy livery company, and the present financial climate makes it increasingly challenging to pursue our current activities — let alone to do justice to future generations of young people in the industry. Standing still is not good enough, hard though even that is.
Income stream
- Donations and subscriptions 63%
- Interest and dividends 23%
- Rent 14%
Take part
Two ways to help this work continue
Become part of the Company.
Joining as a Liveryman means a life-long fellowship of like-minded people from across farming and food. The Clerk will guide you from first enquiry to Clothing.