Alexander Swann – CAFRE Alumni

My name is Alexander Swann, and I have just finished my Level 3 Work Based Diploma in Agriculture course at CAFRE. For the past 2 years I have attended class one day a week, at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. The remainder of my week is spent working on my family farm, just outside Antrim, alongside my Dad and Grandad. We run a dairy herd of predominantly Friesian cows but also have some Holstein breeding. So, I am always kept busy! Prior to this course, I completed the Level 2 Work Based Agriculture course, also at Greenmount Campus. I was awarded the Young Farmer’s Clubs of Ulster Prize for the student who made the most progress on this course, and this encouraged me to progress on to the Level 3 Work Based Diploma.  

I have always enjoyed working on the farm at home and knew that farming was the career for me – but I felt that I needed to continue my education in agriculture. I looked at the options available to me and decided  that I did not want to go into full time education. I enjoy being outside and spending time on the farm with my family. The Work Based courses suited me perfectly as I get to study agriculture – but also farm at home. 

Each Thursday at CAFRE we study theory in class, and work on our assessment portfolio. I can see how the Level 3 course is building on the material which we were taught at Level 2. We cover subjects such as animal health and welfare, health and safety, livestock housing and nutrition. I enjoy how this course allows me to discover new technologies and gain invaluable knowledge which I can put into practice at home.   

This course is not only run at Greenmount Campus, Level 3 students are also based at Loughry Campus, Enniskillen Campus and Banbridge. I have really enjoyed my course and am looking forward to graduating this autumn, alongside many of my classmates who I met on the Level 2 course.