Bury St Edmunds sheep farmer Kitty Russell is helping those with no farming experience get into agriculture through a new Suffolk Rural College course

A sheep farmer from Bury St Edmunds who joined the vocation after suffering with post-natal depression is behind the launch of a fast-track course to help people make the jump towards a career in agriculture.

Kitty Russell, 43, swapped a 15-plus-year career with the NHS for a life working in the great outdoors after her son was born and is keen to pass on her knowledge and explain her journey.

The Skills Bootcamps - set up by Suffolk Rural College and funded by the Department for Education, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Skills for Life - are free for anyone who has no background in farming and is over the age of 19 as well as those who are unemployed.

Kitty will be teaching the fast-track to farming course and those who sign up will get to work with animals, drive tractors, find out about crop production and learn about conservation on the expanding farm at the educational establishment based in the village of Otley, north of Ipswich.

She said: “I got in to farming after a bout of post-natal depression. I volunteered at a National Trust property, which helped give me a sense of self again and it was here where ended up working with the shepherd.

“From there, I got my own flock and today, I have private customers, make sheepskin rugs and supply the only Michelin Star restaurant in Suffolk (Pea Porridge) with my produce.

“For me, I love farming because you are in the great outdoors and it’s incredibly therapeutic. Animals are wonderful as there are no politics and they are good for the soul. Farming is a lovely thing to be doing and I feel privileged to be doing it.”

In terms of the course, Kitty said: “You will gain a range of certificates, qualifications and contacts over this two and a half month programme where we will cram in as much as we can to maximise your chances of gaining a job in the sector.

“Lots of the course will be practical and hands on and I think people should do it as it’s a good stepping stone to make that jump towards a career in farming.”

For more information about this course and other Skills Bootcamps in farming and also arboriculture (tree surgery), you can visit www.suffolk.ac.uk or call Jane Wegg on 01473 382908 or email janewegg@suffolk.ac.uk

• The course is free to anyone who is unemployed or not currently working in the agricultural sector. If you are in the agricultural sector there will be a nominal charge. Suffolk Rural is a campus of Suffolk New College.