29 July 2019
Farmers who are concerned that anti-farming messages promoted by campaign groups are influencing their next generation of customers are fighting back by inviting schools to their farms.
Farming Connect’s Agrisgôp initiative has brought together 12 farmers from north-east Wales with an interest in educating children and the wider public about where their food comes from.
They formed the Farm and Countryside Education Group earlier this year and, under the guidance of Agrisgôp leader Gwen Davies, they have made significant progress.
Members got involved in Open Farm Sunday and have also invited schools onto their farms.
One of those farmers is Rhian Pierce, who farms beef and sheep on 300-acre Plas Dolben, Llangynhafal.
Rhian was keen to get involved because she is fearful of the growing disconnect between farmers and their consumers.
She is concerned about the rise in veganism and is not willing for some of the inaccurate messages being promoted by animal welfare and environmental activists to go unchallenged.
It was the second year she had taken part in Open Farm Sunday but she had the confidence to aim higher this year thanks to an information day organised by Agrisgôp with the sustainable food and farming organisation, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming).
Her visitor numbers trebled, to over 300. “Last year it was mostly family and friends but this year lots of people we didn’t know came along which was fantastic.’’
Rhian has since invited three local schools to Plas Dolben - one has already visited.
Agrisgôp, which is a fully-funded action learning programme that brings together forward-thinking, like-minded individuals from farm and forestry businesses at a local level, had given her the certainty she needed to issue those invitations, she says.
Rhian admits some farmers were puzzled that she is willing to give up her time for no financial return to get involved in educational initiatives.
Her response is that she is doing so with the future in mind. “It doesn’t make any money now but in the future it will because if we are helping to shape the food choices of future generations, people who will consume the food we produce.’’
Group leader Gwen says the members of The Farm and Countryside Education Group had been enthusiastic from the outset.
“Everyone seems to learn something new at every one of our meetings,’’ she said.
“No matter how niche the subject area, Agrisgop can facilitate small groups of people to get together and help develop their ideas.’’
Group member Marianne Burrell, who works at the Rhug Farm Estate, agrees. “We all have a common goal, everyone is willing to share ideas.’’
She says the estate’s owner, Lord Newborough, is passionate about educating people through ‘farm to fork’ initiatives.
The knowledge she has gained through the Agrisgôp experience could help to formalise some of the educational initiatives at Rhug and potentially create employment opportunities.
Marianne is from a non-farming background and says membership of the group has filled gaps in her knowledge of agriculture.
The group has visited a farm in Oswestry that hosts school visits and later this year members will visit an agricultural college to learn how it links farming and education.
There will also be sessions on engaging with the general public through the media and using social media initiatives such as 'Facetime a Farmer'.
Gwen says she would encourage people to use the Agrisgôp programme. “If you have an idea you would like to explore, contact your local Agrisgôp leader through Farming Connect for a chat,’’ she says.
Farming Connect, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra, is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Welsh Government.