Rural education charity, The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), has partnered with e-Sgoil’s Developing Young Workforce (DYW), to host ‘Talk to a Farmer’ week from the 6th to the 10th of February – giving children the opportunity to learn more about farming, farmers and the countryside.
It follows last year’s successful online sessions, with farmers and growers from across Scotland set to stream into classrooms and answer questions from school pupils across the country. RHET will be holding four sessions per day.
“We were delighted with the success of last year’s Talk to a Farmer week, where we had engagement of over 20,000 learners and are really looking forward to hosting it again this year,” said a representative from the DYW team.
The team have put together a diverse timetable for students, including Blackface sheep farmer Billy in Moray, to Charlotte, a grain and farm trader with Frontier. With seeds and grain a focus of the Journey of Food this year, there will also be talks from rapeseed oil producer Robert Mackenzie from Cullisse.
He said: “When I was asked if I would get involved in the Talk to a Farmer event it really was a no-brainer for me! What a great way to inspire and engage with pupils so they know the facts about their food production. Also, we can help them see what they are learning in class is needed on farms and it’s an industry with huge potential for various careers.”
Carol Littlewood, RHET Angus project coordinator, explained: “Being able to offer schools visits to working farms or by visiting them in school is all possible thanks to those who give RHET their time for free.
“Farmers from all over the country support RHET in our work in so many ways, and this online event is just one of them. We are delighted to see a steady return of schools visiting our working countryside, so this online event is a brilliant shop window, a snapshot of what they could see when they are out and about.”
Teachers who took part last year told RHET that they found the experience enjoyable and informative and that pupils were transfixed by the scenery and had a great time thinking of questions to ask.
