Suffolk Agricultural Association monthly column: Farms reaching out to younger generation

John Taylor is just one of several of the association’s farmer members who regularly visits his local school, Kyson Primary, to talk to them about the different crops grown and how they are used.

The school has also visited his farm several times as part of its science curriculum – looking at life cycles of plants and animals as well as healthy eating and for geography and history examining how the local land is used.

Teacher Sandra Green said: “The children think the visit is brilliant.

“They go to the grain store at the end of harvest, the doors open and they see and are amazed by the mountain of grain produced by the farm.

“They take a handful and go and plant it in the field.

“That’s after they have looked in awe at the size of the combine harvester and other machines.

“The highlight is of course sitting on a tractor.

“We all learn a lot on these days – children, parent helpers and the staff.

“The visits help the children have a better understanding of the use of local land to produce food and also to discover the range of different products that are made from the raw items grown.”

Visits are funded under the Farm Link scheme, where grants for up to £50 for transport can be granted by the association.

For further details email: helen.fomenko@suffolk show.co.uk