French exchange helps SRUC Elmwood Campus horticulture students grow international connections
Two horticulture students from SRUC's Elmwood Campus have returned from a learning exchange in France that has strengthened international partnerships and paved the way for future student exchanges between Scotland and a French agricultural college.
Bryanne Wilson and Cherie Low joined Senior Lecturer Marc Harper and representatives from the Cupar and Howe of Fife Twinning Association on a five-day visit to Sainte-Ménehould, Cupar's twin town in north-eastern France.
The visit was designed to revive links between SRUC's Elmwood Campus and a nearby agricultural lycée, with plans already in place to welcome French students to Fife next spring.
Bryanne and Cherie were selected for the international exchange after submitting personal statements explaining their interest in horticulture and how the experience would support their studies and future careers. Their travel was funded through student travel grants provided by the Cupar and Howe of Fife Twinning Association with support from Fife Council.
During the visit, the group stayed with a local farming family and explored a range of horticultural and environmental projects, including working farms, community allotments, a newly opened designed garden where the students got the chance to meet with, and discuss all things Horticulture, with the designer. There was also a visit to the Forest of Argonne, a woodland that has naturally regenerated after being devastated during the First World War.
The students also visited a small village where the Mayor of the village and her family graft fruit trees. They learned new grafting techniques, exchanged growing knowledge and compared how climate and seasonal differences influence horticultural production in Scotland and France.
Marc Harper, Senior lecturer in Horticulture at SRUC's Elmwood Campus, said: "International learning experiences are incredibly valuable because they allow students to see horticulture in a completely different setting. Bryanne and Cherie developed practical skills, learned new techniques and exchanged ideas with industry professionals in France. Despite the language differences, everyone spoke the language of horticulture. We're excited to build on this relationship and welcome French students to Elmwood next year."
Bryanne Wilson said: "This was a fantastic opportunity to experience horticulture in another country. Learning new grafting techniques and seeing different growing methods has given me practical skills I can use throughout my career. Meeting likeminded people in France showed that we all share the same passion for plants and sustainable growing."
Cherie Low said: "I especially enjoyed visiting the countryside and seeing how many people grow their own fruit and vegetables as part of everyday life. Visiting farms, gardens and conservation projects gave me a real appreciation of how horticulture is woven into local communities, and I've come home with lots of ideas to put into practice."
Susan MacIver, from the Cupar and Howe of Fife Twinning Association, said: "The twinning partnership between Cupar and Sainte-Ménehould has always been about sharing knowledge, building friendships and creating opportunities. We were delighted to support Bryanne and Cherie to help reconnect SRUC's Elmwood Campus with the agricultural lycée. We hope this will become a long-term exchange that benefits students, staff and both communities for many years to come."
The exchange highlighted the similarities between two historic agricultural communities while demonstrating how international collaboration can broaden students' practical knowledge, cultural understanding and career opportunities.
The visit marks the beginning of what SRUC and the Cupar and Howe of Fife Twinning Association hope will become a regular international horticulture exchange, with French students due to visit SRUC's Elmwood Campus in May 2027.
If you are interested in studying horticulture at Elmwood campus, visit the SRUC website for more information.
Posted by SRUC on 03/07/2026
