3,000 schoolchildren attend educational farm day

Almost 3,000 schoolchildren have taken part in a farming educational day to improve their knowledge of food production.

It was hosted by the Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS) at the Kent showground on Thursday 4 May.

The event, supported by the local Young Farmers’ Club, saw schoolchildren attending from more than 60 local primary schools to learn about agriculture, horticulture and the countryside.

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

© Stephen Lawrence

The children were able to meet a range of animals, including sheep, pigs, goats and cows, and learned about the process of rearing livestock for food production.

They were also able to experience a milking parlour and sheep shearing demonstrations.

KCAS chairman Julian Barnes said: “Making sure children have access to these opportunities, no matter their background, is extremely important to the future of farming.

“There are so many diverse professions within the industry, and we hope giving children a taster of these inspires some of them to pursue agricultural careers in the future.”

The event is one of several targeted at schoolchildren over the coming months, with the next of its kind being hosted by Writtle University College on 28 June.

Organised in partnership with Essex Agricultural Society, more than 3,000 children from a further 60 schools are expected to attend to learn about food and farming.

Writtle University College’s vice-chancellor, 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.”