The Year of Food and Farming is helping children find out more aboutthe countryside and where their food comes from through first-handlearning experiences!

Already, hundreds of farms and large estates are offering lots of opportunities for school outings. Visits can include farms, community gardens and countryside events.

HRH The Prince of Wales, who is Patron for the Year, was the first farmer to open his gates and welcome more than 50 school children onto his land. Along with farm manager, David Wilson, they helped primary and secondary pupils roll up their sleeves and get involved with the daily business of Duchy Home Farm. The students, from Oathall Community College and local Avening Primary School, learnt how to bake bread from scratch, spent time understanding the management of cattle and sheep and put their cultivation skills to test in the vegetable fields.

Howard Wood, the teacher and manager of the school farm at Oathall, said: ‘Contact with the countryside does more than just give children a taste for fresh air. We work with students from all walks of life and I have witnessed the impact that hands on involvement in the land and with animals can have: from inspiring children about new careers, to giving them a sense of confidence.’

Diana Boulton, head of Avening Primary School, added: ‘Last summer students picked their first crop from our vegetable patches ñ with the produce landing on their plates that same lunchtime. The pupils were so excited to see their salads in the school canteen that they let out a spontaneous round of applause ñ we knew we’d managed to capture their imagination about green things on their plate!’

To find out how your school can
sign up and get involved contact:
www​.yearoffoodandfarming​.org​.uk

HRH The Prince of Wales invited
pupils from Avening Primary School to
join in with the running of Duchy Home Farm
Photo: © Year of Foof & Farming