- You can find out more and sign the petition here
In a bid to embed rural education onto the national curriculum, Farmers Guardian is partnering with sheep farmer and former teacher Olivia Shave, founder of Ecoewe, a sustainable farm-to-table enterprise selling meat direct to consumers as well sheepskins and knitwear, and her petition to showcase the need for a fresh outlook on learning.
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In June 2024, Olivia started the petition, Integrating rural roots education for a sustainable future, in the hope it will empower young people to explore aspects of agriculture such as soil health, biodiversity, water management, social values, fairness and connectivity within our food and natural systems.
But it goes beyond learning. A better understanding of food production and the land will lead to better informed food choices, the impact this could have on wider society and ultimately lead to a healthier nation.
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Having created a framework stating where the current curriculum falls down, she is keen to make learning a more inclusive place for all children, recognising that individuals, all with their own circumstances, learn differently and encompassing rural education could benefit to learning environments across the country.
Farmers Guardian's online editor Emily Ashworth said: "We are really proud to support Olivia in her efforts to showcase the benefits of helping children learn about food, farming and the land. This is more than trying to entice people into the industry; this is about health, nurturing minds, understanding the environment and how it works and how we all play a part in sustaining it through the choices we make.
"So much can come from rural matters being taught in school and Farmers Guardian's various campaigns embody the purpose of this: that farming plays a vital role across society."
Working alongside Olivia is Claire Mackenzie, producer of documentary Six Inches of Soil. With a passion for regenerative agriculture, they both hope to make a positive change to the future of education.
Support so far
Scottish shepherdess Emma Gray pledged her support for the petition.
She said: "It is hard to highlight how important this is when we are all dealing with the aftershocks of the Budget, but I think education and understanding is key to farming survival. If we can get the younger generation to understand agriculture better, the future for everyone will be so much brighter."
Leigh Weston, known as 'Hilltop Farm Girl' on social media, has over 64,000 across Instagram and X and has also shown her support. Leigh, who has a passion for farming with nature, regularly welcomes schoolchildren onto her farm in Yorkshire.
She said: "All children deserve formalised learning to link food and nature with health and sustainability.
"Kids on our farm visits are so bright and open to chatting about food, landscape and nature.
"Society faces lots of challenges and this should be a normal part of our education."
