EDUCATIONAL VISITS
If you would like to discuss bringing a school or group contact Hilary by email or on 01285 640441

Last year we had visits from over 20 primary schools, special needs schools and also secondary schools.  We aim to show the children a working farm with the emphasis on food production, animal welfare and environmental awareness.

PRIMARY SCHOOL VISITS
The first task the morning of a visit is to check the route of the trailer ride to make sure there are no problems on the way: this includes a walk round the wood to look for windblown trees or other potential hazards. The unexpected is often the fun part of a visit but ongoing risk assessment is a responsibility we take seriously. Then down to the farm shop to wait for the schools arrival which is usually around ten o'clock.

The first comment as they get off the bus is often about the smell of the silage which they assume is the cows. Lunchboxes are dropped off outside the green room and there is a rush for the loos. Then brief introductions in the play area where we tell the children the plan for the day and remind them of simple health and safety topics. Across the car park to the trailer with Rob or Tom usually at the wheel of the tractor. We set off up the old railway line with a halt at the chickens and then on to Coneygars where the pigs are at the moment. We get down for a closer look, tell the children what makes a happy pig - grass, mudbath, food etc. and explain how they leave the farm to be slaughtered and come back in packets to the farm shop. We encourage questions which are often very perceptive and keep us on our toes. Animal welfare is something they are all interested in. Back on the trailer, out through the muddy bumpy gateway, always a highlight, and on to see the lambs which are close by this year. We return to the farmyard and climb down by the vegetable garden. First a look in the propagating tunnel trying not to stand on Louise's seedlings then an inspection and explanation of the compost heap which always provokes discussion. Round the tunnels to see what's growing and what we can find to eat - spinach, peas, salad greens etc. Wariness of eating green leaves often turns into requests for more. Talk about natural pest control and look for ladybirds ending up at the herb beds. By now its lunch time and the all important hand washing followed by food outside on the grass weather permitting. 
Afternoon is the woodland walk, a chance to let off some steam, look for acorns and deer tracks and visit the totem pole. We never quite know what we will find to distract us, maybe a badgers set, a rotten log or a creeper for a tug of war.
Time flies in the wood, suddenly it is almost three o'clock and the bus driver is waiting. 

Its always fun, the children are great, there is lots to see and do and we've never been rained off - yet! The underlying theme is food where it comes from and respect and enjoyment of the countryside. Particular topics can be looked at in more detail if requested and because we are a working farm no two visits are ever the same. Will

If we have more than 25 visitors Liz or Yetta come and help me and we split into two groups. A typical day starts with a ten minute chat, followed by a look around the polytunnels and vegetable garden and then yippee a ride across the farm to the pigs on our covered trailer. After lunch into the wood to let off steam, look for animal tracks, hug a tree and hunt for fungi. Some of the children have never been in a wood before.

Abbey Home Farm - Organic Producer of the Year 1999

The Organic Farm Shop - Organic Retailer of the Year 2000