Partnership to offer farm visits to children

A partnership has been agreed to give more than 1,000 children from disadvantaged areas visits to rural estates, to learn about farming and the countryside.

The Country Trust, an educational charity, said it would work with Crown Estates, who own rural land across the UK, to offer more than 40 farm visits this year.

It said it followed a successful pilot scheme which saw 180 pupils from four schools take part in farm days in Shropshire, Essex and Lincolnshire.

Typical activities for a farm visit include sowing seeds, harvesting vegetables, and seeing and learning about animals.

Children would also learn about cooking fresh produce and making butter and flour, the Country Trust said.

The Crown Estate, which manages more than 185,000 acres of rural land, said the visits would take place at Patshull Estate in Shropshire, Albyns Farm in Romford, Thorolds College Farm in Boston, Windsor Farms in Windsor Great Park and Ellington in Northumberland.

The schools taking part will be chosen from those with a higher-than-average percentage of children eligible for Free School Meals.

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