My Placement Year with Oakbank
- Louise Webster
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29
I joined Oakbank to complete a year’s placement as part of my Environmental Land Management degree at Harper Adams University. Having only discovered Oakbank a few months before starting, I was not entirely sure what to expect, which is somewhat daunting when it was going to be my job for the next year! I’m glad to say that it has not been a disappointment!
Six months ago, I wrote about my placement experiences for the Oakbank magazine. Since then, the opportunities and rewards of working with Oakbank have only accumulated. As I enter my final week, I am reflecting on a fantastic year in industry. The team has been fantastic in bringing me along to assist in all sorts of projects, with certain tasks pushing me out of my comfort zone, such as helping Harry present in front of a room full of farmers. With such a variety of tasks to do and such a dedicated team to work with, I feel I’ve really lucked out on my placement.
It has been an extraordinary year to be in agriculture. Government grants and support schemes have shifted frequently and adapting to a new political landscape has presented its own set of challenges. Added to this, one of the driest springs and summers in recent memory presented difficulties the consequences of which will continue to be felt over the next few months (State of the UK Climate 2024 report makes for interesting reading). And although the recent rains have been very welcome for any late-sown game cover crops and grassland and forage crops, we have our fingers crossed for the harvest and grain quality.
From woodland plans to demonstration days
During my placement, I have been fortunate to be involved in a range of tasks. Whether it was drafting a detailed 10-year woodland management plan, helping Harry prepare for the successful Pilsgate Demonstration Evening, or supporting the creation of environmental farm surveys for cluster groups, each project has offered distinct challenges and valuable learning opportunities.
I have also played a part in marketing initiatives, design work and managing Oakbank’s social media - helping to enhance our online presence and connect with a wider audience.
The support from the whole Oakbank team made this year enjoyable, educational and inspiring
A key part of the placement is to design and carry out a company project, focussing on a topic of importance to the company. With Ian’s wise guidance, we decided on collaborating with the team at Indigro to produce a report on the economic benefits of incorporating herbal leys into a traditional crop rotation. To put an economic value on this is a thoroughly interesting topic, which started off as quite a challenge but makes the results all the more rewarding. Part of the methodology has been completing VESS tests to figure out the soil benefits and how this will affect the next crop yield.
This has gone hand-in-hand with the growing interest and knowledge around regenerative farming, providing more evidence to help people make the move towards a more regenerative approach. I have now finished this project, and the results were fascinating. To see how much a herbal ley can influence soil health, and how ploughing vs direct drilling also impacts this first hand was brilliant, backing up all the theory I am learning at University.
Stepping into the sector at Groundswell
A particular highlight of the last few months was attending Groundswell with Oakbank. This was my first time at the event, and it will certainly not be my last. The chance to engage with industry professionals was truly inspiring. Conversations ranged from the potential role of artificial intelligence in agriculture to the craft of producing cherry cider. I attended several thought-provoking talks, including a session on the current state and future improvement of the UK’s food supply chain, and a lively panel discussion by Wildlife Farms & Estates on their accreditation work.
Camping out with Harry, Jamie, Rory, and Archie made the festival even more memorable - they’ve all been fundamental in making the year as enjoyable as it has been.
A changing industry
Over the past year, I have been privileged to meet and learn from many knowledgeable individuals across the sector. The challenges facing agriculture - from unpredictable weather to regulatory changes - are significant. Regardless of this, however, the attitude from everyone I meet remains positive and greatly encouraging.
The challenges facing agriculture are significant - but so is the optimism across the sector, and the can-do attitude
Looking ahead
I am deeply grateful to the Oakbank team for their guidance and encouragement throughout this placement. The skills and experiences I have gained will help me massively as I return to Harper Adams for my final year and begin work on my dissertation. My time at Oakbank has not only provided me with many new skills, but also deepened my commitment to a career in the conservation sector.
I am very excited for the future and to continuing to discover how I can best contribute to our industry.
🎓 Interested in joining Oakbank for a placement?
We’re proud to support the next generation of environmental advisors and land managers. If you’re studying agriculture, ecology, forestry or rural land management, we’d love to hear from you.
📞 Call 01480 890686 or email info@oakbankgc.co.uk
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