Farming is on the menu

FOOD and farming will be the themes at a special event for thousands of Suffolk youngsters.On May 1, 4000 primary school pupils and their teachers will head for the Suffolk Showground to take part in the annual School Farm Fair.

By Judy Rimmer

FOOD and farming will be the themes at a special event for thousands of Suffolk youngsters.

On May 1, 4000 primary school pupils and their teachers will head for the Suffolk Showground to take part in the annual School Farm Fair.

The day will give children the chance to see at first hand businesses and organisations representing different aspects of food, farming and countryside management.

The aim is to increase teacher and pupil knowledge of all the key elements of farming which go into the production of food.

Attractions will include Suffolk horses along with a farrier display showing how a horse is shod, as well as gun dog races.

Pupils and teachers will have the opportunity to see many different agricultural and food production processes such as how grain is transformed for a variety of different uses and how milk is produced.

Conservation and waste management issues will also be highlighted and pupils will be able to visit the new conservation area on the showground.

Christopher Bushby, Suffolk Agricultural Association executive director, said; "We are delighted to have this opportunity to bring children together from schools all over the county to see so many exciting interactive exhibits which highlight the importance of food, farming and countryside management.

"We hope the experiences of the School Farm Fair will go along way towards developing a positive attitude to food and farming at an early age."

The event will be supported by a follow up pack, produced with the Suffolk Education Business Partnership, to extend the experiences of the day into the classroom.