Children across the country will be learning more about where food comes from and why farming matters to their everyday lives following the launch of the NFU’s Why Farming Matters teachers’ packs.
The packs, which were commissioned by the NFU from the education charity FACE (Farming and Countryside Education), are the most significant development in teaching materials on farming for many years and their launch was welcomed by Sir Don Curry who said they would make a major contribution to the Year of Food and Farming.
Packs have been produced for both primary and secondary school teachers. They include booklets containing a series of activities for children at Key Stages Two and Three on a wide range of farming topics, as well as three sets of picture cards and a DVD containing interviews with farmers about their lives and work.
Guy Smith, who led the project for the NFU, said: “Farmers are keen for school children to have a better understanding of British agriculture. Today’s children are tomorrow’s consumers and tomorrow’s countryside visitors. As an industry we must be proactive in getting materials into schools that explain agriculture in a positive, balanced and curriculum-relevant manner.
“The NFU has worked closely with FACE on this project and we’re delighted with the end result. We are confident the packs will make a significant contribution to both the Year of Food and Farming and to education about farming generally.”
Bill Graham, executive director of FACE, said: “It is vital that the whole industry is committed to reconnecting young people with the origins of their food and I’m delighted the NFU is setting an example for others to follow.
“Helping schoolchildren to learn about farming and the countryside is one of FACE’s prime objectives and the new packs include plenty of excellent activities and ideas. They have the potential to provide a fantastic educational experience for children in the classroom who are learning about their food, the environment, and wildlife.
“I believe these new resources will have a positive effect on teaching and learning and that, with the support of the NFU, we are helping farming to become more pro-active as an industry in getting its message across to the right people.”
Sir Don Curry said: “The Year of Food and Farming aims to give young people in England the opportunity to learn more about how food is produced, experience what the countryside has to offer, and learn more about environmental issues linked to food and the countryside.
“These packs will play a major part in teaching children about why farming matters and will make a significant contribution towards the Year of Food and Farming achieving its aims.”