HighGround

HighGround helps military leavers, reservists and veterans to find jobs, careers and vocational opportunities in the land-based sector. It also delivers the Horticultural Therapy service at Headley Court.

Military skills and experience map perfectly into the land-based sector. The experience and training of military men and women is well suited to agriculture and the food industry; they are used to long hours, thinking on their feet and have an affinity with the outdoors. Added to which many military personnel come with the professional behaviours needed in agriculture of strong leadership, management and logistics - as well as engineering and technical skills that can help to accelerate agriculture's adoption of data management, robotics and precision farming.

By building a powerful community HighGround has the resources to create opportunities for ex-military personnel and reservists to pursue a career in the land-based sector.

High Ground is currently working with Bicton Agricultural College in Devon to provide military leavers with an insight on the opportunities in the rural sector with week-long residential courses - Rural Weeks.

Agricultural Charities such as The Worshipful Company of Farmers are actively supporting HighGround to help military leavers obtain practical experience, but more financial and mentoring help is needed from the agrifood sector support the transition of these highly skilled individuals into the agricultural industry. 

Each Rural Week hosts 8 military leavers and costs more than £1,500. Funding is needed to help grow the number of Rural Weeks hosted at Bicton and also expand the programme nationally with the support of other agricultural colleges. 

HighGround is also working with the Forestry Commission and Royal Forest Society to achieve similar aims.