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Teachers gather in Cumbria to learn about school farms visits

22 September 2009

A recent study by Kingston University [1] found that 'primary school children muddle up goats and sheep and many don't know that bread and milk come from wheat and cows rather than packets and bottles. The study also shows that farm visits are really important in dispelling children's deep ignorance about where the food they eat comes from and helping teachers deliver a wide spectrum of the national curriculum.'

The Soil Association-led Food for Life Partnership [2] works with schools across the country to inspire young people and their families to care about what they eat by getting them growing, cooking and visiting farms.

As part of this work, the Food for Life Partnership has teamed up with Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) to organise a training day for teachers at Growing Well, a Soil Association certified social enterprise at Low Sizergh Farm in Cumbria [3], to teach teachers how to set up and get the most from a school farm visit through real, practical food and farming related activities.

Alison Quigley, Food for Life Partnership Farm Links Officer says:

“Regular farm visits help young people understand where their food comes from, experience the whole food production cycle and establish a meaningful relationship with their local farm. This relationship is used to supported learning back at school across varying aspects of the curriculum.

“It is important that teachers and parents are reassured that safe, planned and organised farm visits are possible and this event is all about showing them how to do this.”

The training day at Low Sizergh Farm in Cumbria takes place Friday the 25th September. Any journalists who would like to come along, please contact Alison Quigley on 07827 925380

Or visit www.foodforlife.org.uk

Notes to editors
[1] http://www.kingston.ac.uk/pressoffice/news/14/07-september-2009-so-milk-doesnt-come-from-bottles.html
[2] The Food for Life Partnership is a network of schools and communities across England committed to transforming food culture. Together we are revolutionising schools meals, reconnecting young people with farms and inspiring families to cook and grow food.

The initiative is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and led by the Soil Association, bringing together the practical expertise of the Focus on Food Campaign, Garden Organic and the Health Education Trust.

The Soil Association is the UK's leading environmental charity promoting sustainable, organic farming and championing human health.

The Focus on Food Campaign is the leading food education support programme for the teaching of cooking in the UK’s primary and secondary schools.

Garden Organic is the UK’s leading organic growing charity dedicated to researching and promoting organic gardening, farming and food.

The Health Education Trust is the national charity dedicated to initiating and supporting work with children and young adults to encourage the growth of healthy lifestyles.

[3] Find out more about Lower Sizergh Farm here http://www.lowsizerghbarn.co.uk/thefarm.htm