CHILDREN across the county will swap the classroom for the farm on Tuesday, October 11, as Devon County Council’s fourth annual Farmwise Devon event returns to Westpoint, Exeter.

A record breaking 1,400+ pupils from 35 primary schools, including locally from Tedburn St Mary, Exeter School and Okehampton Primary School, will have the chance to touch, taste and feel their way around life on the farm when they take part in the event.

Designed to take the children on a food journey from field to fork, the event will be a fun-filled and hands-on experience aimed at giving Devon children a better understanding and appreciation of farming in the county, and encourage them to take an interest in how food is produced.

The event will take the total number of children who have attended Farmwise Devon to more than 10,000.

Cllr Caroline Chugg, Chairman of Devon County Council’s Farms Estates Committee, said: “The Farmwise Devon events have been a highlight of the year for many primary school children, and have really opened their eyes, ears and noses to what Devon’s farmers do best.

"As a rural county, the farming industry plays such a vital role in our local economy, and it is important that the younger generation learn more about it.

“Most children are unlikely to have first hand knowledge of what’s involved in being part of the farm to fork supply chain, so this event is all about giving them a very real appreciation and understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced, and how important farming is to Devon.”

Divided into 12 zones including Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Poultry, Wildlife, Environment, Fruit, Vegetables, Arable, Food, Pigs and Woodland, children will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of Devon’s agriculture.

Tenant farmers from Devon County Council’s farms estate will be passing on their knowledge and expertise through practical demonstrations and involving the children in hands-on experiences, such as milking cows, shearing sheep and making cheese in order to help them learn where their food comes from and how it is produced.

Event organiser for Devon County Council, Jon Williams, said: "The best bits of the event are where the children get to touch, feel and smell the activity they are involved with, of which there are many!

"This is the fourth year that Devon County Council has organised Farmwise Devon, and each year we receive excellent feedback from the schools about the value of the event and how much their pupils enjoy it.

“Firm favourites are the piglets and the sheep dogs. And this year we’ve got some kid goats too which are sure to be a big hit. There will also be hatching eggs at the event, with a special webcam in the incubator so children won’t miss any of the action.”

Coastal Waste, one of the event supporters, will be teaching children about composting, and demonstrating how their household composting waste is collected, recycled and supplied back to farmers for agricultural use.

While Devon County Council facilitates the event, the cost to run it is met by sponsorship with the main sponsor being Mole Valley Farmers.

Other financial support comes from Devon Norse, Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust, The Devon Farmers Benevolent Fund, NPS SW and Hele’s Educational Trust. The event is also supported by the Devon County Agricultural Association, Bicton College, and Devon Young Farmers Club.

Crediton farmer John Lee is Chairman of Farmwise Devon and the DCAA Board of Management.

He said: “Farmwise has proven to be a spectacular success in bringing school children from across the county together to learn about where their food comes from, how it is produced and why the countryside is so important to Devon.

“The countryside, to some young children, is something that they’re driven through rather than something to appreciate, but Farmwise gives them a real opportunity to learn about the importance of agriculture and the farming community in a fun and safe environment.  It also opens their minds to future career prospects in a highly technical and skilled industry.

"On behalf of Farmwise Devon, I’m extremely grateful to the County Council and the Farms Estate tenants, Bicton College, Devon Young Farmers Clubs, the Devon County Agricultural Association, and all the volunteers who give their time freely to ensure that every child leaves the event having had a fun and informative day!"

Alan Quick