AHDB is teaming up with LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming Education) to launch a project helping farmers to deliver education experiences for school children.
Farmers from England and Wales will be offered training and support to provide safe and memorable school visits, allowing more children to experience working farms and understand the food supply chain.
Applications are open to farmers who are relatively new to hosting school visits within the Beef and Lamb, Cereals and Oilseeds, Dairy, and Pork sectors. Successful farmers will receive Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) training and accreditation starting in November.
Participants will also gain access to the support of the LEAF Education Specialists and opportunities to network with like-minded experienced host farmers.
Roz Reynolds, AHDB’s head of education, said: “We are excited to launch this pilot project as we believe it has the potential to make a real difference to the way that school children learn about where their food comes from.
“Levy payers picked education as one of the key areas of AHDB’s work, following the Shape the Future results. AHDB is now actioning this and increasing opportunities for children to access and experience a real working farm first hand.”
The findings gathered from this pilot project will help in shaping AHDB’s future education projects and identifying whether a wider roll-out of the support package is a good return on levy investment.
“We are delighted to be partnering with AHDB on this important project,” Carl Edwards, LEAF’s Director of Education and Public Engagement added. “We believe that this project will help to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver engaging and informative experiential learning opportunities. This is essential in ensuring that the next generation understands and values food production from farm to fork.”
Interested levy payers can access comprehensive details and submit their applications by visiting ahdb.org.uk/schoolfarmvisits. Deadline for submission is October 16.