TV presenter, farmer and musician JB Gill has officially opened Top Farm, BCA College’s new agricultural teaching facility, marking a major milestone in the college’s commitment to the future of British farming and land-based education.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together students past and present, staff, industry partners and local stakeholders to celebrate the launch of Top Farm.
Top Farm provides agriculture with a permanent home at the college, featuring modern facilities, specialist machinery and livestock. The new site has been designed to give students hands-on, real-world experience, preparing them for careers across the agricultural and rural industries.
After Agriculture courses were withdrawn in the late 1990s, the subject returned in 2014 with just 16 students and limited facilities. BCA supports around 60 Agriculture learners across a range of levels, delivered through close collaboration between teaching staff, farm teams, and industry partners. Since the subject was reintroduced, more than 250 students have graduated and gone on to careers across the sector.
The opening of Top Farm represents a major step forward for BCA, strengthening its role in supporting sustainable agriculture, developing industry-ready skills and preparing the future workforce of the rural economy.
Speaking at the launch, JLS popstar JB Gill praised the impact the new facilities will have on students entering the sector.
“What a fantastic facility for students to have at their disposal. I wish I’d had something like this when I first got into farming. The opportunities this creates for young people entering the industry are incredible.”
Gillian May, CEO and Principal of The Windsor Forest Colleges Group, reflected on the long journey to re-establish agricultural provision and the significance of the new farm.
“In 2001, the Foot and Mouth outbreak meant that the UK lost around six million cattle, and we were faced with the heartbreaking decision to stop our farming provision at the college. In 2014, with the support of our farming community, we began rebuilding. Now, 25 years after we stopped, we are incredibly proud to have rebuilt this tremendous facility.”
Chris Beckwith, Livestock Manager at BCA, highlighted the college’s agricultural heritage and the importance of securing a permanent future for farming education.
“BCA was founded in 1949 in response to the need for food security, and agriculture has always been part of its DNA. What we see here today is agriculture firmly back where it belongs, with a home, a future and growing ambition.”
Explore our Agriculture courses on our website, or book to attend our next Open Day on Saturday 18 April 2026.
