3,000 schoolchildren set to discover more about farming and food

Schools across Essex will attend Anglia Ruskin University Writtle (ARU Writtle) later this month, for an event intended to teach children about where their food comes from.

The fun-filled event will take place on Tuesday, June 25 at ARU Writtle campus, near Chelmsford.

Activities will include demonstrations and learning opportunities for the children including coming face-to-face with farm animals and farm machinery such as tractors and combine harvesters.

READ NOW: National Service debate sparks call for teens to help on farm

ARU Writtle aims to widen local children's knowledge of the food chain, and help bridge the disconnect between the food they eat and recognising the farmers who produce it.

Vice Chancellor of ARU Professor Roderick Watkins said: "We are delighted to be hosting the Essex Agricultural Society and local primary schools. This inspirational event is key to helping pupils increase their understanding of food, farming and the environment, and shows just how fulling careers in these sectors can be."

The fun filled activities will include a competition between the schools on which children can design the best scarecrow, with the theme of the upcoming Olympic games in Paris.

READ NOW: #FarmingCAN: 96% of Open Farm Sunday visitors say it gave them a greater appreciation of farming

Chairman of the event Annabelle Rout from the Essex Agricultural Society said: "We are really looking forward to welcoming school children back to the showground in Writtle for this year's event.

"The showground will be filled with exhibitors from across Essex in our five zones, livestock, machinery, food, crops and countryside and environment.

"We cannot wait to see and feel the buzz of 3,000 school children learning about the importance of food and farming in Essex."

READ NOW: In your field: Helen Stanier - "I aim to show there are opportunities for all in agriculture and break down barriers to entry."

Exhibitors will offer taste tests of local produce for the children to showcase the work of farmers in the Essex countryside.

The aim of the event is to champion the British countryside, raise awareness of the challenges that British farmers face and teach the next generation about the importance of eating healthily.