The University of Reading has purchased the 635-acre site at Tanners Farm, Farley, using money from its long-term capital investment funds.
The university's vice-chancellor said the purchase would help "secure the future of agriculture at Reading for the next century to come".The farm has been purchased to support the university's new Agrifood Futures Strategy through which it hopes to "transform the future of food and farming". This new farmland will therefore ensure there is ample space "to continue the university’s world-class research", it said.
He continued: "It will provide our students with hands-on experience as they train to become our future food growers and the stewards of the countryside.”The university's Agrifood Futures Strategy prioritises three research areas, focusing on transformation to a resilient and fair food system; environmentally-friendly farming systems; and developing healthy and sustainable foods.