Kids should know where their food comes from

In November, over 300 primary school children from Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire took part in the “Breakfast with Kids Country” event in their schools. Through four interactive learning zones, they learned all about the journey of their food and the process from the field to their plates.

Learning all about where the food comes from is very important, as most children across the country only see the process of buying it from the supermarkets. They get to learn all about the full process and how important farming really is. It also encourages them and introduces them to healthier options as opposed to ready meals which a lot of children across the country regularly eat. 

Everyone should know where their food comes from, and it’s no different when it comes to kids. In order for farming to succeed and improve in the future, we have to make sure the next generations are aware of it. Education is one of the best ways to give them some exposure to the industry. Without prior exposure, most people would not even remember agriculture when it comes to making career choices. 

Getting into agriculture can be difficult for those who have no background but with programs like these and more exposure to agriculture for children, they have a much better chance and awareness of the industry which could lead them to pursue education or courses correlated with it in the future. Some schools do provide some aspects such as school trips to farms which is great for them to see how things are produced and see farm animals. This can be both an educational and a fun experience for them as kids love animals and tractors. 

Another way that the next generation can be aware of the agricultural industry is by offering extra-curricular activities for them to participate in. Some options for this are after-school clubs and activities during their breaks and lunches. Participating in these sorts of activities gives some form of experience that would make things easier for those who pursue the career in the future, but also give them an insight as to what farming is really like, even if it is something simple like growing some plants as a school. 

Some schools tend to visit zoos on school trips to teach children about other animals, but why not also show them the animals that are more a part of their day-to-day life? 

Anyone can get into farming, even without prior experience, but it can feel stressful starting fresh. When getting into any industry, having some form of experience is a lot better than starting with a blank page as it can boost confidence and make the transition into a farming career feel more manageable.