Rob’s story

I’ve always had a passion for agriculture, but my course has really got me interested in sustainable agriculture and seeing what more we can do to put it into practice back home.”Rob O'grady
Ecology and Conservation BSc

‘I started off doing Anthropology at Sussex but I switched to Ecology and Conservation after the first year. I’m from a farming family in southern Ireland and I decided that working in the family business was what I wanted to do after all.

During my second year, I was excited to find out that we’d have an opportunity to do research at Knepp, which is a rewilding project on a 3,500-acre estate in Sussex where they are reintroducing native species. I’m really interested in sustainable agriculture – our livestock farm is certified organic and currently carbon negative because we have been reforesting – and that’s what Knepp is all about.

For my third-year dissertation project I monitored the grazing rates and habits of longhorn cattle at Knepp – there’s a herd that roams freely on the estate. This is the sort of information that can help with sustainable land management. Different species graze at different rates and on different vegetation, so if you have species that complement each other it reduces the need for mechanical or chemical interventions. It was a great experience as we camped on site for two weeks and were really lucky with the weather.

My life in Brighton has been very different compared to growing up in a village in Ireland. The city has a wonderful nightlife and it’s so diverse. You’re always going to meet interesting people. It’s also great to go sea swimming, especially when you have a group of friends who are keen to go in. I found other interests too. I joined the snow sports society and have been on two skiing trips. I also did some clay pigeon shooting.

I’ve always had a passion for agriculture, but my course has really got me interested in sustainable agriculture and seeing what more we can do to put it into practice back home.’

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