Boston College is one of six leading educational institutions set to receive a share of a £2.5 million investment aimed at transforming skills training in Lincolnshire’s vital agrifood sector.
The funding comes from the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal, agreed with the government last year, which has unlocked new powers and resources for the region under a future combined authority led by an elected mayor.
The investment will allow Boston College to upgrade its training facilities, buildings, and equipment to better support the development of skills in agriculture and food manufacturing—sectors that play a key role in the local economy.
Other beneficiaries include Riseholme College, DN Colleges Group, Lincoln College, and two University of Lincoln centres: the Lincoln Institute of Agrifood Technology and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing.
The funding, distributed by the UK Food Valley (part of Lincolnshire County Council), is being delivered through skills capital grants designed to ensure Lincolnshire remains at the forefront of agrifood innovation and training.
This marks a significant opportunity for Boston College to strengthen its role in preparing students for high-demand careers in food production, sustainability, and agricultural technology—aligning with the region’s broader goals for economic growth and skills development under the new devolution framework.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, said: “I know from talking to farmers and food producers that they often struggle to find the skilled workforce they need – food and farming is more technical than many people realise! I made a commitment to them that I would address this as Mayor.
“New laboratories and equipment to provide training such as hydroponics, soil science, food research and digital skills will really help our businesses. This is a key industry in Lincolnshire for jobs, investment and growth, but also for our national food security. The additional funding is a good start, but I’m determined to see even more investment in this area, so our food industries thrive and flourish.”
Cllr Liam Kelly, executive councillor for Growth, said: “The UK Food Valley is now being driven forward by Lincolnshire County Council, and we’re completely committed to helping the agri-food sector reach its full potential”
“It’s vital that businesses in the sector have access to the skilled and trained workforce that they need so they can remain at the forefront of innovation and new technology, which will help us drive forward the local economy.”
Effie Warwick-John, UK Food Valley Programme Manager at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This new funding for colleges and universities will provide the skills to support the uptake of automation and digitalisation across the supply chain, upskilling the workforce and boosting the sector’s productivity.
“We’re confident that the training infrastructure, buildings and equipment that these educational bodies will develop from this funding will be a great benefit to the UK Food Valley, furthering our ambition to position the Greater Lincolnshire food sector as a world leading food cluster.”
A total of £2.5m of this has been allocated for grants within the UK Food Valley in south Lincolnshire.
The college will receive £699,000 to invest in an Agri-food Hub.
A cutting-edge Agrifood Hub will be housed in a modular building on an existing car park within the college site, comprising a new product development (NPD) kitchen, digital suite and hydroponics unit to upskill young people and adults within the agrifood sector.
The facility will provide state-of-the-art training in hydroponic farming, sustainable food production and innovative product development techniques, addressing regional skills gaps by partnering with a private company (Hydrogarden Ltd) and the University of Lincoln (Food Enterprise & Food Manufacturing Centre).
Claire Foster, Principal and Chief Executive of Boston College, said: “We are delighted that Boston College has secured £699,000 from the UK Food Valley to create our state-of-the-art Agrifood Hub.
“This transformative investment unlocks potential across Greater Lincolnshire’s food sector – a region producing one-eighth of England’s food. Our new facilities will drive innovation, sustainability and workforce excellence, enabling businesses and students to co-create the future of food as we establish Greater Lincolnshire as a global leader in sustainable agrifood.”
Other regional colleges receiving the investment include Riseholme College, Lincoln, who will receive £600,000 for Resource Investment in Future Agri-Skills, DN Colleges Group who will receive £600,000 to construct Food Science & Engineering Laboratories, Lincoln College who will receive £240,000 to develop an AgriLinc Training Hub, Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, University of Lincoln who will receive £360,000 to invest in a Soils, plant and food analysis skills and training laboratory and National Centre for Food Manufacturing, University of Lincoln who will receive £240,000 for a STEM Digital Hub.
