The day saw 340 pupils, aged between two and eleven, at Pakeman Primary School in Holloway, north London, take part in a range of farming-related activities and was organised by NFU Education as part of a drive to help inner city children learn where their food comes from.
The children met farmers who travelled in from across the south and east of England, interacted with farm animals and learned how farmers look after them, sat in a tractor and discovered how it is used on farm, learned about different grains and seeds and made ice creams using British ingredients.
‘Our school has been full of joy today’
Headteacher Emma Bonnin said: “For most children here, this was their first experience of seeing farm animals and meeting farmers.
“The children have been so excited – it’s been wonderful to see their faces light up. Our school has been full of joy today.
“The NFU Education team does vital work in teaching children in a fun way about where their food comes from – that it’s not just from the supermarket.
“They have learned today there is life outside London and the work that goes on in the countryside to put food on their plates.”
Hundreds of boxes of food donated
The NFU donated hundreds of boxes of food, including fruit, vegetables, eggs, bread, crumpets and cinnamon swirls to the school’s foodbank, with donations from British farmers, Waitrose and Warburtons.
The donations were for parents and carers, some of which are refugees.
‘The excitement on their faces has made it all worthwhile’
“There has been so much energy and enthusiasm from the children – who knows, we may have inspired some farmers of the future here in north London.”
Sian Grove, shepherdess and Farmers for Schools ambassador
Livestock farmers and NFU members David Barton and Churriana Genillard, who farm near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, shepherdess Sian Grove, from Newport, the Isle of Wight, mixed beef, sheep and arable farmer Mark Jeffery, from Donhead St Andrew, Wiltshire and teacher Victoria Hodge, from Shenley, Hertfordshire, attended the event in their roles as NFU Farmers for Schools Ambassadors.
This is a voluntary role which sees NFU members across the country visit schools to talk about food and farming.
David, who brought two lambs, two chickens and Gary the ram to the school, said: “We were delighted to bring what we do on the farm into a school in north London.
“I think it’s important to engage with children at this age. The excitement on their faces to meet our sheep has made it all worthwhile.”
The ambassadors were joined by NFU Education chief education manager Josh Payne, education manager Jennie Devine and Mrs Hodge’s husband, arable farmer James Hodge, who arrived in a tractor decorated in Christmas lights.
Inspiring farmers of the future
Mrs Genillard said: “The kids have been amazing – it’s been one of the highlights of my year.”
Miss Grove said: “It’s been great to help to make some wonderful memories for the children.
“There has been so much energy and enthusiasm from them – who knows, we may have inspired some farmers of the future here in north London.”
Since its inception in 2017, the NFU Education team has educated and engaged more 1.2 million schoolchildren about British agriculture with its wide range of initiatives.
Want to inspire the farmers of the future? Find out how you can be a Farmers for Schools ambassador.
