A Selby horticulture research facility showcased its wide range of facilities at a recent Open Day that was very well attended, despite the inclement weather.
The team at Stockbridge Technology Centre opened the gates to the 200 acre farm in Cawood to show people how the research station uses the latest technology to help growers and farmers in the future.
Visitors to the Cawood site enjoyed trailer rides around the farm, got expert advice about garden pests and diseases, witnessed the spectacular tomatoes being grown under LED lights and were delighted with the cookery demonstration and tastings.
Stockbridge Chief Executive, Graham Ward OBE, is looking forward to welcoming people to Stockbridge House: "Many people are unaware of the variety of exciting projects that we get involved with here at Stockbridge Technology Centre, so the Open Day's a great opportunity for people to get a behind the scenes tour and be inspired by where science can take us."
Mr and Mrs Todd had travelled from Sherburn in Elmet for the Open Day and weren't disappointed. Mr Todd said: "We enjoyed our time at the STC Open Day. We were really pleased with the Glasshouse Tour. To see how the tomatoes are grown with LED lights all year round was fascinating. We bought some to take home, the flavour of those tomatoes was the best we've ever tasted. We learnt how different types of LED light affected plant growth, it was very informative and so interesting. We've never seen anything like it before. We will look forward to the next one."
Charlotte Wells Thompson took a selection of produce from her Hillam Farm Shop, Bert's Barrow, to the Open Day and was delighted with the response: "We were honoured to have been invited to Stockbridge open day and we found the clients that came appreciate good quality local produce."
Stockbridge Technology Centre is an independent, not for profit organisation that is wholly owned by the UK horticultural industry and is a centre of excellence in technology transfer to agriculture and horticulture. It conducts commercial work and applied research and development, environmental sustainability and education programmes from its 200 acre site just outside Cawood.
