Mary King MBE encourages Devon children to think about farming at Farm Wise

Children from across Devon got the chance to learn about where their food comes from yesterday at the special Farm Wise event organised by Devon County Council.

Held in Exeter’s Westpoint Arena, the event saw the Council’s Tenant farmers and students from Bicton College give workshops on food, farming and animal care.

Olympic equestrian sportswoman Mary King MBE opened the event, encouraging children to think about farming in Devon.

Mary said:  “I’m sure a lot of children here didn’t give a thought about where their food comes from before today. But this event will make them think more about where their food comes from and how it's produced.

“It’s all very positive stuff for the future to help the farmers produce their vegetables or meat and also help them know that the people eating that produce will understand the work and quality that goes into them.

“It’s lovely to come along, see what’s going on and see so many interested children learning.”

Children from 27 primary and special education schools attended the event and got the chance to sit on tractors, sample local produce and learn where wool, eggs and milk come from with first-hand experience from live animals.

Maggie Peacock, a teacher from Milton Abbot School said: ‘We’ve got a good mix of children here. Some are from farming families and others just don’t have a clue about it. What’s really nice is that the kids who are from farming families are getting a chance to be knowledgeable and show their expertise today.

The event came about with the support of the volunteers and donations from sponsors, with Westpoint Arena waving the usual fee for the venue hire.

Julie Edwards, from Mole Valley Farmers, the event's main sponsor, said: “Mole Valley Farmers is extremely pleased to be involved with this initiative and Devon County Council and its tenant farmers are to be congratulated for taking the lead on such an important subject.

“It is imperative that young people are given the opportunity to get a better understanding of the important part farming plays in feeding a growing population.

“The event will allow children to fully engage with the process of food production, from farm to fork and will give them an opportunity to ask lots of questions.”

Among the volunteers helping to run the event were Agricultural students from Bicton College. One Student, Ross Thompson, gave demonstrations on sheep shearing to audiences of fascinated children.

Ross said: “A lot of these kids will be coming from the cities and probably won’t have much of an idea where this all comes from. Our food doesn’t just come from Tesco, so it’s good that this lets them get an idea of that.”

“There are fewer people going into farming these days and the increases in cost to get land mean it’s harder than ever to get into. Although they’re young, having a basic idea of what’s behind their food means they’ll think about it a bit.”

Cllr Jerry Brook from Devon County Council’s farms estates committee, said: “We would like children to take away an understanding of where the products they see on the shelves come from, and hopefully an appreciation of how important farming is to Devon.

“Farming also has an impact on the environment and our wildlife, so this event will demonstrate many of the benefits that farming brings in support of wildlife and our green environment.”

There were also representatives from Natural England, the NFU and members of the Young Farmers Association at the event, who gave talks on how farming works in the UK today.