NSA event positively connects children with food and farming

More than 350 schoolchildren from across the Merseyside area enjoyed a hands-on introduction to British farming and food production at the recent NSA Northern Region Farm Gate to Dinner Plate schools event, kindly hosted by farmer Olly Harrison on his farm near Widnes.

The event, hosted by the Northern Region of the National Sheep Association (NSA), gave pupils a unique opportunity to learn where their food comes from through a series of engaging and interactive workstations covering a wide range of farming sectors.

Throughout the day, children explored the journey of food production from field to fork, meeting farmers and industry experts who shared their knowledge and passion for agriculture. Activities included learning about modern farm machinery, following the journey of wheat from crop to flour before making their own bread, and discovering the role of sheep farming through sheepdog demonstrations, shearing displays and education on the properties of wool.

The visiting pupils also had the chance to learn about pig production, trying their hand at the tricky task of moving pigs using pig boards, while experts from levy board ADHB highlighted the important role red meat and dairy products play as part of a balanced diet. Other popular attractions included egg hatching demonstrations and environmental workshops, where children planted seeds and learned about conservation work carried out by farmers to support wildlife and the countryside.

The event aimed to bridge the gap between consumers from a young age and food producers by helping the children gain a greater understanding of farming, food production and the care that goes into producing high-quality British food.

NSA Northern Region Manager Chris Adamson says: "The Farm Gate to Dinner Plate event was a fantastic success and it was wonderful to see so many young people engaging with agriculture in such a positive way. Many children have little direct connection with farming, so providing opportunities like this to learn about food production, animal welfare, environmental stewardship and the people behind it is incredibly important.

"The enthusiasm shown by the children throughout the day was remarkable. They asked thoughtful questions, got involved in every activity and left with a much better understanding of the farming industry and where their food comes from."

The event was made possible thanks to the support of Olly Harrison well known for his OllyBlogs YouTube channel and a frequent respected spokesperson for British Agriculture. His farm provided the perfect setting for the educational experience.

Olly says:"It was great to welcome so many children onto the farm and give them the chance to see first-hand what farming is all about. Events like this help build a connection between young people and the food they eat every day. The interest and enthusiasm from the children was brilliant to see and hopefully we've inspired some future farmers along the way."

NSA Northern Region would like to thank all exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and educators who contributed their time and expertise to make the event such a memorable and valuable experience.

The overwhelming success of the day highlighted the importance of agricultural education and demonstrated the genuine curiosity young people have about farming, food production and the environment when given the opportunity to experience it first-hand.