Written by Billy Wickham
An initiative, aimed at shining a light on farming and food production is set to return next month.
Created by LEAF Education, and developed in partnership with Brockhill Park Performing Arts College in Kent, ‘Farming Fortnight’ will run from June 1 to June 12.
The initiative hopes to inspire young minds of all ages to learn about where their food comes from, how it is produced and its relevance to issues around climate change, healthy diets, well-being and future careers.
What to expect?
Farming Fortnight will offer a wide range of engaging and informative learning resources, covering all key stages for parents and teachers to access via the Countryside Classroom online portal – whether at home or in the classroom.
These resources include videos, topic sheets, lesson plans and activities – all aimed at bringing the world of farming closer to young people.
Each day of the campaign has its own farming theme and accompanying social media hashtag.
Examples of these include: arable farming (#TractorTuesday); the sheep industry (#WoollyWednesday); fruit and vegetable production (#TastyTuesday) and; careers in farming (#FutureFarming).
Everyone involved will be encouraged to share their learning experiences on social media.
LEAF Education director of education and public engagement Carl Edwards explained: “The response we had to last year’s Farming Fortnight was amazing.
“The children really valued the chance to learn about farming and the natural world and many told us it helped raise important discussions around issues such as diets, sustainability, food security, climate change and future careers.
“Farming Fortnight builds on our ongoing work with 12 to 18-year olds and specifically the research we commissioned in 2018 looking at young people’s attitudes to farming.
What did it achieve?
“What it showed is that young people want to know more about where their food comes from, how it is produced and the science behind it, they just lack the right information,” Edwards continued.
“Furthermore, nearly a third of the young people we spoke to told us they would be interested in a career in the agriculture sector.
This year’s Farming Fortnight is also being supported by farmer and television presenter, Adam Henson, who said: “Now more than ever, it has never been so important to find innovative ways to make farming come alive in the curriculum and in the home-schooling environment.
The resources needed were developed by staff and students at Brockhill Park Performing Arts College.
Donna Ashlee, assistant principal added: “We are delighted to see Farming Fortnight back for another year. Our students were involved in the development of many of the resources, so they really ‘speak’ to young people.
“Having a dedicated two-week long focus on farming has real potential to inspire young minds, create opportunities and bring about real change to how future generations think about and engage in farming.”
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