When it comes to teaching we think the best to learn is by getting your hands dirty.
Which is why we provide opportunities for people to learn about the environment and farming in all sorts of ways such as school visit, children's holiday activities and workshops. >
School visits
A survey of over 1000 pupil's age seven to 14 found that nearly 70% wanted schools to teach more about wildlife and nature, 62% want to be taught about green issues, and almost half want to gain a better understanding about where their food comes from. Click here to find out more.
Our education partner, Earthwise, coordinates and leads school visits to the farm. These help children to better understand where their food comes from, to discover how it is grown and to appreciate the importance of healthy eating.We involve all our groups, with interactive and practical activities. Activities vary with the seasons, giving children an appreciation of how the tasks for farmers change throughout the year.
Work-shops and activity days
It is hugely important for a child’s well-being to have the opportunity to spend time outdoors in nature.
We have a real passion for engaging younger generations with the land. By developing a greater connection with the countryside children gain a deeper understanding of the need to protect the environment around them.Our children’s activity days get children thinking and learning about food, farming and the environment through games, getting hands-on and having fun!
During Half-Term Earthwise will be helping us welcome children to the farm to explore the fields, harvest crops and prepare a seasonal feast to share for lunch.
As well as this Farm Explorers Day (22 Oct) , Earthwise also run a Forest School (26-29 Oct). Here children will have the opportunity to explore the wonder of the forest, cook over a camp-fire, use simple hand-tools to make musical instruments from the forest, play games and getting muddy.
"This is the best day I've ever had!"
-Farm Explorer age 7
Active learning
We hold Community Farmer Days . These are one-day volunteering events which provide people of all ages the opportunity to learn through doing. Our 'community farmers’ have a guided tour of the farm then volunteer out in the fields for the day – planting, harvesting, weeding, whatever needs doing – getting first-hand experience of organic farm life!We also have a significant number of volunteers helping out regularly on weekdays. In doing so, they are developing a real understanding of the challenges and benefits of sustainable farming.
A volunteer's story
“There is something very special about volunteering at The Community Farm; the beautiful scenery, the wonderful people and the feeling of doing something worthwhile.I particularly enjoy my time working at the children’s activity days and school visits. You gain real a sense of securing our future by planting the seeds of interest in the environment and where their food comes from.
For me the best aspect is picking food straight from the plant and turning it into a meal. It is so significant because it allows children to discover fruit and vegetables for themselves. For some it is the first time they have ever eaten food straight from the plant or taken the beans from a pod.
It is important that they learn to associate food with where it has come from and to know how much hard work goes in to growing food.”
-Volunteer October 2015
This article is part of our Do 15 series.
