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Merrist Wood College awarded valued accreditation from Rare Breeds Survival Trust

Merrist Wood College, part of Activate Learning, are delighted to announce that they have recently been awarded accreditation from the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST).

This is first RBST accreditation awarded to an educational organisation and therefore Merrist Wood College is currently the only college in the country with this accreditation.

The charity is extending its Accreditation Network to include, for the first time, education establishments and other institutions that meet the RBST’s criteria for work supporting the conservation of native breeds of livestock and equines. Merrist Wood College joins the existing network of 21 RBST accredited farm parks and city farms across the UK.

RBST is the national charity that works to secure the future of rare breeds of native livestock and equines.

To become RBST accredited, the college had to fulfil a set of criteria, including being able to evidence participation in conservation breeding programmes and promoting the benefits of native breeds.

The accreditation serves as an industry benchmark and shows commitment to agriculture heritage and livestock conservation.  This industry kitemark will enable Merrist Wood College to work more closely with other RBST members to share livestock, thereby enabling students to engage in a range of experiences in terms of breeding and showing livestock.

The college’s rare breeds conservation programme already successfully supports Portland sheep, Wensleydale sheep, Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, Golden Guernsey goats and rare breeds of poultry.

Luke Gates, Head of Animal Collections at Merrist Wood said: “The RBST is an organisation that we have been passionate about supporting for many years with our first rare breeds arriving at Merrist Wood College in 2000. Over the last seven years we have been serious about developing our rare breeds for teaching and learning and supporting the RBST.

“We now have 10 different breeds who are in need of protection due to low numbers. Many people know about giant pandas and various rhino species needing conservation support, but many of our own native livestock breeds are actually more rare.”

Charlie Dodd, Farm Manager at Merrist Wood added: “This year the RBST is running a campaign called Love a Longwool which is what really spurred us on to become RBST accredited this year. To become the first ever Education Facility rare breeds farm under their new framework is fantastic news for the Activate Learning group.

“We have just scanned our rare breeds sheep and are excited to announce all are pregnant and with the help of the RBST we look forward to do our part in conserving these breeds.”

RBST Chief Executive Christopher Price said: “The expansion of the RBST Accreditation Network has great potential for rare breed conservation work. As well as opening up new breeding opportunities and encouraging a wider network for stock exchange, it will extend the reach of our crucial rare breed survival message and increase the opportunity to share experiences and techniques.

“The RBST accredited organisations do important work through rare breed conservation programmes, scientific research and public engagement. I am delighted to welcome Merrist Wood College, Acton Scott and Almond Valley to the network of RBST Accredited organisations and I look forward to working with them for the survival of our rare native breeds.”

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