Students at Middlewich High in Middlewich, Cheshire, and youngsters at Levens CE Primary near Kendal, Cumbria, managed to net £250 for each of their schools by impressing judges with their knowledge of where our food comes from and the role of the countryside and farming in producing it.
Children at Levens CE Primary decided to grow their own spuds in massive pots around the school to celebrate the International Year of the Potato 2008. The pupils, aged 7 to 9, harvested more than 100 potatoes which they roasted, boiled and mashed into mouth-watering recipes in their cookery classes. They even wrote poems about the humble spud, and produced media presentations about growing potatoes in their Information and Communication Technology classes.
At Middlewich High School, Year 9 students set up a stall at the Cheshire Show last month to give passers-by a quick lesson in the science of soil. The pupils, aged 12 to 14, showed visitors to the show how to test soil for its acidity or alkalinity, along with sand and clay tests. They also explained the best growing conditions for maize and wheat before planting up seedlings for members of the public to take home.
The Year of Food and Farming, which comes to an end this month, has encouraged children to make informed food choices for healthy eating and offered young people direct experience of the countryside, farming and food. Many children know little about where their food comes from and the role farmers play in producing it. The Year of Food and Farming has helped to close that knowledge gap.
Rachael Wadey, a teacher at Levens CE Primary, said: "The children were absolutely delighted when we learnt we'd won, they started cheering. Growing our own potatoes and cooking them has been an amazing project for them and has taught them a lot about food and the fact it doesn't start off its life in a supermarket! We plan to use the winnings to buy more cooking utensils and gardening tools, such as spades, trowels and forks, to continue growing vegetables next year."
Science teacher Andrew McAdam, from Middlewich High School, said: "Going to the Cheshire Show was really good for my pupils' confidence, they responded really well and enjoyed explaining to passers-by the science of farming and soil in particular. We are still deciding what to spend our winnings on, but one idea is that we are planning to set up a science club next year and work with a local farm to do a test on the effects of pollution on the land."
Will Cockbain, farmer and North West Chair of the Year of Food and Farming, said: "Schools like Levens CE School and Middlewich High School show that children benefit from a greater understanding of where their food comes from and the many positive impacts food production has on the region's landscape. I would encourage more primary and secondary schools to follow their lead, log onto the website http://www.yearoffoodandfarming.org.uk and help young people establish a connection with both the food chain and their countryside.
"Although July marks the end of the Year of Food and Farming, we feel that encouraging young people to learn about where their food comes from is as important as ever. Look out for 'Think Food and Farming' activity from September onwards."
Liz Newton, Regional Director for Natural England in the North West added: "I'm delighted that we have been able to support the Year of Food and Farming in the North West. Children have benefited from real and tangible experiences on a range of farms to learn about farming, food and the natural environment. Our hope is that more children get involved with further activities in the future."
