3,000 school children to learn about food and farming at inspirational event
31st May 2023
Children from 60 local primary schools are set to attend the Essex Schools Food & Farming Day, where they will learn all about how food travels from farm to fork, take part in hands-on activities, and discover just how exciting a career in agriculture can be.
Returning in a live format for the first time since the pandemic, the event will take place on Wednesday 28th June at Writtle University College near Chelmsford. Organised by the Essex Agricultural Society with support from the local council and dozens of farmers and food producers, it has been running annually for more than 15 years.
Event Chairman Annabelle Rout said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming school children back to the showground in Writtle for our first live Essex Schools Food and Farming Day since 2019.
“The showground will be filled with exhibitors in our five zones, livestock, machinery, food, crops and countryside and environment. We can’t wait to see and feel the buzz of 3,000 school children learning about the importance of food and farming in Essex.”
The young participants will enjoy a day packed with fun hands-on activities and demonstrations. They will be introduced to livestock, tractors and combine harvesters, taste locally grown food, and learn about environmental issues and healthy eating from exhibitors.
The event aims to bring children out of the classroom and showcase the important role farmers play in Essex, as well as provide a better understanding of the food chain and the countryside. Children will also be taking part in a fun competition, where each school is required to present a handmade scarecrow – with prizes awarded for the best designs.
Professor Tim Middleton, vice-chancellor at Writtle University College, said: “We’re delighted to host Essex Agricultural Society and local primary schools. This inspirational event is key to helping pupils increase their understanding of food, farming and the environment, and shows just how fulfilling careers in these sectors can be.”
Writtle University College has been teaching rural courses for 130 years. Its large countryside campus is located just two miles from Chelmsford and is home to a working farm, stables, greenhouses and garden, in addition to sporting, animal and science facilities.
