Cumbria Connect Apprenticeship Scheme

Shaping the Future of Nature-Friendly Farming

Welcome to the Cumbria Connect Apprenticeship Scheme—a first-of-a-kind programme for those passionate about farming with nature and shaping the future of our landscapes.

This isn’t just an apprenticeship; it’s a commitment to learning how farming and nature can thrive together.

Here, apprentices gain the practical skills and understanding needed to restore biodiversity, protect our environment and support sustainable rural livelihoods.

 

Learning in the heart of Cumbria

By working across some of Cumbria’s most iconic landscapes, our apprentices experience a full spectrum of nature-friendly land management – from caring for livestock and habitat restoration to the daily realities of running farms that put nature at their core.

The programme brings together three remarkable learning environments:

  • Wild Haweswater (The RSPB) – where conservation grazing and nature restoration go hand in hand.
  • Low Beckside Farm (The Ernest Cook Trust) – blending food production, learning & community engagement.
  • The Lowther Estate – pioneering regenerative agriculture and sustainable land use on an estate scale.

Each location offers something distinct, showing that there’s no single route to farming with nature, only shared purpose and collaboration.

Our Nature-Friendly Farming Apprentices are at the forefront of efforts to restore biodiversity and make farming part of the solution to the challenges our environment faces.

What makes it special?

Our apprentices are at the forefront of efforts to make farming part of the solution to today’s environmental challenges. They learn from expert mentors across the RSPB, Lowther Estate and The Ernest Cook Trust, gaining first-hand experience of how conservation and agriculture can work together.

Throughout the programme, apprentices are supported by a dedicated Apprenticeship Supervisor and are fully involved with the Cumbria Connect team, ensuring they have the guidance, community and professional development needed to thrive. 

 

Celebrating Success

Following the success of our first intake – and with over 150 applications for the second round – it’s clear that the next generation of land managers are ready to step up and lead the way in nature-friendly farming.

Rural Futures: Elli's Path to Farming with Nature

A sneak peek of our short film... Throughout the year, we’ve been working with @landandskymedia to capture something truly special, a behind-the-scenes look at life on the ground with Elli, one of Cumbria Connect's inspiring apprentices. In this short film, Elli shares her passion for nature and farming and how hands-on experience is shaping her understanding of how people and wildlife can thrive together. @connectfornature @ernestcooktrust @wildhaweswater‬ @lowtherconservation @endangeredlandscapes We’re so excited to share more with you soon! Credit: LandandSky Media

Meet our Apprentices

Elli Foxton – Level 4 Apprentice

At just 20 years old, Elli Foxton became the first Nature-Friendly Farming Apprentice on the Cumbria Connect scheme, after overcoming months of job searching and applying for over 150 roles. Originally from urban Teesside, Elli made the courageous decision to move to rural Cumbria on her own, driven by her passion for agriculture and land management.

Elli’s journey into farming began with a Level 3 Animal Management course at Askham Bryan College, followed by a transformative two-year placement on an alpaca farm. This experience sparked her love for farming and led her to gain further practical experience on local farms, even as she faced a tough job market.

Undeterred, Elli took up a six-month contract with the RSPB at Haweswater, where she developed her skills in regenerative grazing and farm machinery. Now, as our Level 4 Apprentice, Elli is thriving, gaining diverse experience across three different farms. From working with Longhorn cattle and pigs on the Lowther Estate to participating in water vole releases at Wild Haweswater, Elli is fully immersed in her role.

“This Apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity—a once in a lifetime thing. It pays a good wage, and all the training is fully funded. The experience you gain from working in three different workplaces gives you a real head start for future job prospects. You really don’t want to miss out on it.”

 

 

Yasmin Alieskandari

Level 3 Apprentice -Yasmine completed the Level 3 Livestock Handling Apprenticeship as part of the Nature-Friendly Farming Programme in 2025. Yasmine's journey into land management was shaped by her deep passion for the natural world and a notable career change. With a degree in conservation biology and a background at the Freshwater Biological Association, she blends her scientific knowledge with a commitment to sustainable farming practices. Her personal journey reflects a dedication to follow a career that not only aligns with her values, but also contributes to the greater good of the environment and future generations.

Joe Walker

Level 3 Apprentice - Joe completed the Level 3 Livestock Handling Apprenticeship as part of the Nature-Friendly Farming Programme in 2025.