School Farm Visits Support programme for farmers (England)

As part of our Open Your Gate campaign, the School Farm Visit Support (SFVS) programme helps farmers build the confidence, skills and practical know-how to welcome children onto their farm.

Working in partnership with LEAF, we want to recruit more farmers to host school visits to hit our target of one million on-farm experiences for children and young people by 2031.

By working together, we can bring young people closer to farming – turning real experiences into lasting understanding and future choices.

The SFVS programme supports farmers to create safe, engaging and memorable visits that connect young people with modern British farming.

Whether you’re new to hosting school visits or ready to build on existing experience, we’ll help you get started.

"The CEVAS course is the perfect place to start because it just makes you think about how you would deliver those sessions, but you also get a massive amount of support following that course from LEAF and from AHDB as well. I would definitely recommend the CEVAS course." – Elaine Smith, Lancashire Farm Education centre

"It was great to meet other farmers and hear about what they are doing as well as getting all the important information needed to open the farm up to visitors. The course leaders were really inspiring as well – sharing their real-life experiences with school groups on farm was invaluable." – Celia Smith, farmer

This programme is for farmers who want to help children understand food and farming first-hand.

It is ideal if you:

• Are new to hosting school visits or have some experience and want to build your confidence
• Want practical support to host safe, engaging visits for children
• Have a story to share about British farming and food production
• Want to inspire the next generation and make a lasting difference to the future of British farming
• Have the potential to host visits but need support to get started
• Pay our beef, sheep or dairy levy

We are looking to recruit farmers (who pay our beef, sheep or dairy levy) that are new to or have some experience of hosting school visits on their farms and want to build their confidence.

You will receive:

• Fully funded in-person two-day Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) training course (worth £360 + VAT )
• Tailored 1:1 support with a LEAF Education Specialist (worth £360 + VAT) including preparation and on-farm guidance
• Access to a support network of new and existing host farmers
• Increased confidence and credibility in delivering visits

The CEVAS course will help you:

• Plan safe, well-structured visits for schools
• Understand health and safety requirements
• Link farm visits to the National Curriculum
• Create activities, talks and demonstrations that bring farming to life
• Build confidence in telling your farming story
• Prepare for your first visit with practical guidance and support

After the course, you will:

• Complete a portfolio (approximately 20 hours) to gain CEVAS accreditation (to be completed within three months of the final course date)
• Deliver your first school visit within six months of accreditation
• Share feedback to AHDB to support ongoing programme improvement

You don’t need to work it all out alone. We and LEAF will help you plan a safe, straightforward and rewarding visit – from training and risk assessment to activity ideas and support from a LEAF Education Specialist.

Your LEAF Education Specialist will support you to:

• Review your farm set-up and visitor routes
• Help shape your first school visit plan
• Provide practical advice on engaging activities and messaging
• Offer guidance around your first visits
• Support you in connecting with local schools

Applications close one month before the course start date.

The course dates are:

14 and 21 October 2026: Matlock Farm Park, Matlock, DE4 5LH

5 and 6 November 2026: Home Farm, North Yorkshire, DL10 7PJ

3 and 10 November 2026: Myerscough College, Lancashire, PR3 0RY

3 and 17 November 2026: Launceston Farm, Dorset, DT11 8BY

24 and 25 November 2026: Rectory Farm, Buckinghamshire, MK18 4PD

13 and 20 January 2027: Great Wollaston Farm, Shropshire, SY5 9DN

14 and 28 January 2027: Park Farm, Kent, TN16 1LL

14 January and 4 February 2027: Bragborough Hall, Northamptonshire, NN11 7JG

20 and 21 January 2027: Alma Bank Farm, Leicestershire, LE14 2PN

27 January and 10 February 2027: Weston Farm, Devon, EX36 4ED

Please note:

• You must attend all sessions of your course
• Courses are not recorded and active participation is required
• Course timings are 9:30am–4:30pm.

If you’re ready to open your gate, complete the online application form before the deadline.

Applications close one month before your chosen course starts. You can choose your preferred location in the form.

Can’t make these dates? Register your interest and we’ll keep you updated about future opportunities.

To take part in the programme, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Be an AHDB levy payer (beef, sheep or dairy) in England.
2. Be a farmer with farming as your primary business.
3. Be farm assured (e.g. Red Tractor or equivalent) or provide alternative evidence, such as a current Veterinary Attestation for Animal Health Visits.
4. Not already be CEVAS accredited.
5. Meet baseline visitor requirements:
   1. Safe access and biosecurity measures.
   2. Handwashing and toilet provision (these do not need to be fully in place at application stage; support and guidance will be provided).
   3. Public liability insurance (covering farm visitors and educational visits).
6. Commit to completing the full programme.

Farmers will be selected to take part in the programme from across the Beef & Lamb, and Dairy sectors, based on:

• Meeting the eligibility criteria
• The strength of your application, including why you are interested in taking part and hosting school visits

• Your application will be reviewed against the eligibility criteria
• We’ll be in touch to let you know the result of your application
• If successful, we’ll confirm your course place and next steps

Privacy notice

Information collected as part of the programme, including the application process, is covered by a privacy notice. This explains how we will use and protect your personal information.