The IPT's Rural Fellowship programme is an opportunity to look in detail at the food industry, agriculture and rural economy. It involves practical experience with farms and agri-businesses, food processors, business-support organisations and major supermarkets. Participants learn about the food supply-chain, "from farm to fork".
Case studies
One of the most recent participants in our Rural Fellowship programme was Jeremy Wright MP, who undertook a specially-designed "from farm to fork" Fellowship:
"In the course of my 18-day Fellowship, I manhandled dead sheep, milked cows, and mountaineered inside a fish-smoking chimney. Now that is work experience worthy of the name. My time was divided between supermarkets (Waitrose and the Co-operative) and agriculture, where I visited three farms, the National Farmers' Union, the Royal Agricultural Society of England and Farmers' Weekly magazine."
Jeremy explored the relationship between producers, supermarkets and consumers, as well as the problems facing rural communities and agriculture in general.
Jeremy Wright MP on his "farm to fork" Fellowship
Bridge Magazine, January 2008
"MPs on work experience"
The Grocer, 6 October 2007
