Primary schools across Cornwall will soon be getting a visit from a new outreach project that aims to educate pupils about where their food comes from.

Organiser of the Royal Cornwall Show, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association (RCAA), has launched the Farm & Country Days On The Road initiative to further its educational activities.

The charity has run the popular Farm & Country Days at the Wadebridge showground over the past five years with more than 6000 seven to nine-year-old children attending to date to learn about farming and food production.

The annual event reaches less than ten percent of the target age group each year and with a long waiting list from schools eager to be involved this new enterprise will ensure the key messages reach a larger number children.

A brand new trailer has been purchased and kitted out specifically for the task. The project has been put together by education coordinator, Emma Parkyn, who recently joined the RCAA team.

As a former primary school teacher hailing from a local farming family, Emma is well qualified and looking forward to reconnecting the next generation with agriculture.

Emma said:

“This project is fun and exciting and very much needed in educating children about what farming entails.”

Interactive learning resources which link with many areas of the national curriculum have been created and the mobile classroom also comes complete with a small kitchen area where children can produce their own tasty treats.

“Getting stuck in and hands on is a great way for children to learn and this is reflected in everything that we do,” added Emma.

Primary schools who haven’t previously taken part in the Farm & Country Days in the North Cornwall area will be the first to be eligible for a visit, before the project heads to West Cornwall in the New Year.

The public will also be able to get involved as the trailer will be appearing at agricultural shows across Cornwall and Devon in 2018. It will also be at this year’s Cornish Winter Fair, held at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre, Wadebridge on Saturday 18th November.

For more information about the project or the RCAA’s educational work please visit www.royalcornwall.co.uk/education or contact Emma Parkyn on 01208 817016 or email: emmaparkyn@royalcornwall.co.uk.