Farming giant rolls in for Tractors into Schools scheme

Tractors into Schools. Britannia Primary, Ipswich. Year one pupils and staff with Charlie Trembath and Dan Kiddy of Kerr Farms, Easton

Primary school pupils got a chance to see the huge scale of machinery used to power the beating heart of Suffolk’s rural economy.

Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA) took its Tractors into Schools initiative on the road again to get children thinking about farming.

The charitable organisation, based at Trinity Park, aims to visit as many schools as possible across the county, giving children the opportunity to meet a farmer and explore the workings of a tractor.

The scheme was set up to forge relations between schools and the farming industry, and to teach children about agriculture and where their food comes from.

Tractors into Schools. Britannia Primary, Ipswich. Year one pupils with Dan Kiddy of Kerr Farms, Easton.

SAA chief executive, Phillip Ainsworth said: “Research tells us that, despite all efforts, far too many children still have little or no understanding of what farmers do, and what they produce – in other words, where their food comes from.

“We hope that by taking a tractor into a playground we will be inspiring young children to learn more about the food that they eat and help them to become aware of the exciting career opportunities within agriculture and other land-based industries.”

Ipswich’s Britannia Primary and Handford Hall Primary joined the list of schools to take part yesterday.

Tracey Pratt, design and technology coordinator, and year three teacher at Britannia Primary, said: “The children all had a wonderful time. There was a great deal of excitement when the tractor arrived.”

Britannia Primary also runs a cookery club and subscribes to the Tesco Let’s Get Cooking initiative, which aims to give everyone the opportunity to learn how to prepare good food.

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