Hadlow College are planting a new 3 hectare orchard growing a range of crops on the main campus. This exciting new development will focus on sustainability, reducing labour where possible and allow us to work collaboratively with industry and importantly inspire the next generation of fruit growers and horticulturists.
The orchard will be as automated as possible using a range of robotic equipment and sensors to remove much of the labour intensive aspects but develop the highly skilled labour requirements of orchard management.
The crops grown will include Apple, Pears, Cherries, Apricots and other Prunus. A section of the orchard will be devoted to viticulture producing a crop of grapes but with the training emphasis being on how to set up and manage a vineyard. Cherries will be grown under plastic and intensive production systems will be used to maximise the potential yield of all crops. The planning of the orchard has been conducted in conjunction with industry to ensure we are meeting the future demands of the industry.
The crops will be grown with sustainability in mind at all times. Drones will be used to monitor bud set, predict yields and monitor the growth of the crop allowing precise applications of nutrition, pest and disease control methods to be used.
Sensors will be installed throughout the orchard to monitor amongst other things moisture, relative humidity, PAR, rain fall plus other exciting sensors which are currently being developed.
Post-harvest technology will include new cold store facilities with lab based research storage facilities to help better understand the implications of long term storage of fruit.
Hadlow College has a rich history of fruit production, working with industry and providing training opportunities for students. This latest development is an exciting opportunity for industry to engage with the college to shape the future of the fruit industry in Kent and further afield.
Watch this space as our orchard grows!
Take a look at how our Orchard and Vineyard are developing...
Check out our interative Concept Orchard Project video to find out more about how you could join the future of sustainable farming...