GLORIOUS mud and the occasional heavy downpour did not dampen children’s spirits at an innovative event which helped them discover more about the countryside and the origins of their food.
Throughout the past year, farmers, food producers and other organisations have been offering up a bumper crop of ideas and events, information and teaching materials for participating schools.
And these exciting initiatives all came together for the Essex Schools Food and Farming Day, a free fun and informative day organised by The Centre for Environment and Rural Affairs (CERA), on behalf of the Essex Agricultural Society, at Writtle College, Chelmsford, on Thursday (May 1).
This enabled 3,000 Key Stage 2 pupils and their teachers to connect with how their food is produced and dispel myths about farming, giving them an understanding of its relationship with countryside management.
The event included hands on demonstrations of milling wheat and producing butter, cookery demonstrations using local produce, livestock displays, milking demonstrations and farm machinery demonstrations.
The event was supported by Essex County Council and organised in conjunction with the Year of Food and Farming, the national campaign which aims to give pupils direct experiences of the food chain and the countryside.
Steering committee chairman, Guy Smith, said: “Most working Essex farmers, such as myself, realise that today’s children are tomorrow’s consumers and tomorrow’s countryside users. As such, it is important to help them understand where their food comes from and why the countryside looks the way it does. There are very few foodstuffs which cannot be grown on Essex farms and the day was a great opportunity for farmers to talk to children about these subjects.
"I hope these activities will add up to a learning experience which pupils will never forget, transforming the way food and farming are seen in and out of the classroom."
Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex County Council, added: "Essex is often stereotyped as a heavily urbanised county, characterised by its proximity to London, but if you look beyond the urban area - which actually occupies less than a fifth of the land mass - you will find a landscape rich in farming and food production.
"Historically, food production in Essex was of great importance, both in feeding the local populace and the nearby city of London. Although the last 100 years have seen changes, Essex remains an important agricultural county employing thousands and feeding millions. Agriculture shapes the countryside, providing us with access to open spaces and recreational activities which help to promote healthier lifestyles. It is important children understand this landscape and help preserve it, ensuring prosperity for our farmers and a better quality of life for our residents."
On the day, each school group was given its own farmer steward to guide them through the various activities, strengthening links between youngsters and the farming community. There were more than 200 volunteer stewards drawn from across the Essex farming community.
For further information about the Year of Food and Farming and the Essex Schools Food and Farming Day contact East of England facilitators CERA at Writtle College by visiting http://www.cera.org.uk/, emailing [email protected] or calling 01245 424110.