3,000 children attend Essex Food and Farming Day

The annual Essex Food and Farming Day returned last week, welcoming more than 3,000 schoolchildren to Writtle University College to learn about agriculture.

Now in its 15th year, the event, organised by the Essex Agricultural Society, welcomed children from 60 primary schools to unpick topics such as how food travels from farm to fork, and the importance of supporting local food producers.

© Writtle University College

With five zones to explore – livestock, machinery, food, crops, and countryside and environment – the children were able to meet animals such as sheep and goats, and to look around tractors and combine harvesters.

See also: How farmers are helping to educate school children about agriculture

Event chairman Annabelle Rout said: “We were delighted to welcome schoolchildren back to the showground in Writtle for our first live Essex Schools Food and Farming Day since 2019.

“It was fantastic to experience the buzz of 3,000 schoolchildren learning about the importance of food and farming in Essex.”

A lesson in the machinery zone © Writtle University College

The event champions awareness for the countryside and environmental issues, and aims to inspire the next generation by demonstrating the many careers within the sector.

Writtle University College’s vice-chancellor, Prof Tim Middleton, said: “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.”