In this case study, hear from Jason Daff, Horticulture Manager at the University of York, who details how an exchange helped whole technical teams to compare approaches, discuss common supplier challenges, and share best practice.

The Yorkshire Technician Exchange Partnership (YoTEP) connects technical professionals across Leeds, York, and Sheffield to share expertise, solve common challenges, and elevate technical careers across the White Rose University Consortium.

“Go for it! You have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain”

What made you want to take part in a YoTEP exchange?

The Universities of York, Leeds and Sheffield all have extensive plant growing facilities that support plant science research. The facilities at each institution comprise of containment greenhouses, Controlled Environment (CE) growth rooms, programmable CE cabinets and, in some cases, experimental gardens. These facilities are managed by support teams who are responsible for designing and provisioning experiments, maintaining research biomaterials, maintaining CE facilities, dealing with horticultural problems and overseeing containment and biosecurity compliance.

I have been fortunate to visit many other similar facilities over the years, you can always improve on procedures and processes by learning how similar functions are achieved elsewhere.

Taking part in the YoTEP exchanges has allowed more members of our respective teams to experience other facilities and meet peers performing similar roles in our region.

What did your exchange involve?

All three teams visited each of the other facilities. The visits usually involved a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and some good discussion about common issues, problems, suppliers and customers! We have shared details of how we perform common tasks including dealing with plant pests, facility finances, sourcing equipment and such which has led to improvements in our practices.

What did you gain from the experience?

Our visit to Leeds led us to undertake some simultaneous growing-media trials in both facilities, allowing us to share results and experiences of using alternative growing media under differing husbandry regimes. 

Was there anything that surprised you or that you didn’t expect?

Reciprocal visits have been worth the investment in time and commitment. It’s really useful to develop a network of peers in the region who are performing similar functions. They are a great source of advice and ideas and always willing to talk through problems.

Find out more about the partnership here.