Helping farmers educate the next generation

We are launching a pilot project to help farmers deliver high-quality, safe, and memorable on-farm experiences for schoolchildren.

In collaboration with LEAF Education, 20 farmers will be offered funded training and support to deliver impactful school visits and help give more children the opportunity to experience a real working farm first-hand and better connect with where their food comes from.

Applications are open to farmers who are relatively new to hosting school visits within the Beef & Lamb, Cereals & Oilseeds, Dairy, and Pork sectors.

Successful farmers will receive fully funded Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) training and accreditation starting in November.

In addition, participants will gain access to the support of the LEAF Education specialists and opportunities to network with like-minded, experienced host farmers.

Schools will also have access to funding towards transport, addressing a key barrier to getting schoolchildren out on farm.

Roz Reynolds, Head of Education, AHDB, said:

"We are excited to launch this pilot project; we believe that it has the potential to make a real difference to the way that schoolchildren learn about where their food comes from.

“Levy payers picked education as one of the key areas of AHDB’s work, following the Shape the Future results. AHDB is now actioning this and increasing opportunities for children to access and experience a real working farm first hand.”

The findings gathered from this project will help shape our future education projects and identify whether a wider rollout of the support package is a good return on levy investment.

“We are delighted to be partnering with AHDB on this important project,” Carl Edwards, LEAF's Director of Education and Public Engagement, added.

“We believe that this project will help to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver engaging and informative school visits. This is essential in ensuring that the next generation understands food production from farm to fork.”

Visit our School farm visits support programme for farmers page for more information on:

• What to expect
• Benefits for you
• How to apply
• Eligibility
• Selection process
• CEVAS training course

You can submit your application here. Deadline for submission is 16 October 2023.

Information collected as part of the pilot project, including the application process, is covered by a privacy notice. This notice describes how AHDB will use and take care of the personal information we collect on you.