Devon school children to discover the best of local farm produce at Farm Wise Devon
Devon farmers and primary school children will come together for an event designed to take children on the food journey from field to plate.
Approximately 1,200 children from nearly 30 primary and special schools from across Devon will attend the event - the first of its kind in Devon - on Tuesday 22 October, at the Westpoint Arena near Exeter.
The County Council-arranged event, 'Farm Wise Devon', will show young people how good food and drink is produced on Devon's farms, with practical demonstrations from 14 council tenant farmers, and additional support from the Devon County Agricultural Association, Bicton College, and Devon Young Farmers Club.
Divided into different zones - dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, fruit, vegetable, arable, wildlife, and food and environmental - farmers will be passing on their knowledge and expertise and involving children in the steps from raw material through to manufactured products that they are familiar with.
"We want children to get a real touch, feel and smell of farming and farm production in a safe and fun environment," said Councillor Jerry Brook, Chairman of Devon County Council's Farms Estate Committee.
"Children will see cows being milked, sheep being shorn, and learn how local produce such as cheese and smoothies are made.
"We're hoping they'll see eggs hatching on the day, discover how their favourite fruit and vegetables are grown and how products such as fruit juice are made.
"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 benefits that farming brings in support of wildlife and our green environment."
Mole Valley Farmers are the event's main sponsor. Julie Edwards, from Mole Valley Farmers, 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."
Further funding also comes from sponsors including NPS South West Ltd, Hele Educational Trust, Darting Cattle Breeding Trust, Babcock, and local cheesemakers Parkham Farms.
Schools attending:
- Christow Community School, Exeter
- Ratcliffe School, Dawlish
- Uplowman Church Of England Primary School, Tiverton
- Kentisbeare Church Of England Primary School, Cullompton
- Pathfield School, Barnstaple
- Montgomery Primary School, Exeter
- Oaklands Park School, Dawlish
- Yeo Valley Primary School, Barnstaple
- Southbrook School, Exeter
- Hennock Community Primary School, Newton Abbot
- Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education, Exeter
- Exeter Road Community Primary School, Exeter
- Decoy Primary School, Newton Abbot
- Wynstream School, Exeter
- Copplestone Primary School, Crediton
- Bovey Tracey Primary School, Newton Abbot
- Landscove Church Of England Primary School, Newton Abbot
- Umberleigh Community Primary School, Umberleigh
- Brayford School, Barnstaple
- Seaton Primary School, Seaton
- Widecombe In The Moor Primary, Newton Abbot
- Spreyton School, Crediton
- Hatherleigh Primary School, Okehampton
- Milton Abbot School, Tavistock
- Stoke Gabriel Primary School, Totnes
- Clyst Hydon Primary School, Cullompton
Tenant farmers attending:
- Chris and Wendy Richens from Coppa Dolla, Broadhempston, Totnes
- Richard Camp of Horse Hill Farm, Ashburton
- Chris and Louise Carpenter of Fairfield Farm, Denbury
- Gordon and Hazel Davis of Westcott Farm, Westleigh
- Bruce and Jenny Ravenhill of Great Blakewell Farm, Umberleigh
- David and Karen Bragg of Higher Artiscombe Farm, Gulworthy
- Barney and Marie Butterfield of Lower Parks Farm, Crediton
- Rob Shilston and Gemma Houghton of Mixing Barn Farm, Bovey Tracey
- Rona & Neville Amiss of Higher Fingle Farm, Crockernwell
- Marcus and Liz Warner of Lower Henland Farm, Kentisbeare, Cullompton
- Ben and Catherine Rowland of Lower Uppacott Farm, Mariansleigh, South Molton
- Louise Moorhouse and Leo Henley Lock of East Fingle Farm, Warnscombe Cottage, Dunsford
- Keith and Roz Partridge of Duckaller Farm, Port Road, Dawlish
- Alex and Rachel Stephens of Churchlands Farm, Cadeleigh Park, Ivybridge
