Blog by UFU communications officer, Lynsay Beattie
During a farm visit, a pupil asked, “What colour of cow does the blue top milk come from?” The farmer replied, “Where do you think milk comes from?” The pupil answered; Asda.
I witnessed the above exchange firsthand. It efficiently represents the vacuum that exists regarding food education beyond farm families. Having completed a Master’s Degree in Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise a few years ago, I explored food and farming education for primary school pupils, what is and isn’t available, and what is needed.
Findings emphasised the need for more educational programmes such as ready-made resources, open farm visits and virtual opportunities, and that positive experiences must be introduced from a young age, ideally through primary school education. So what has the Ulster Farmers’ Union been doing to improve farming and food education?
NI curriculum
My studies showed teachers would like agriculture to be implemented into the curriculum. Likewise, respondents felt that implementing an agriculture strategy into the NI curriculum would help them as educators.
It is encouraging that in England, the Farmers Guardian partnered with sheep farmer and former teacher Olivia Shave in 2024, creating a petition ‘Integrating rural roots education for a sustainable future’. Locally, Lorraine Killen has recently shared a survey on social media regarding agriculture in primary schools.
While the UFU is working to get agri-education introduced to the NI curriculum, it has developed a range of interactive agriculture resources for all stages of primary education in partnership with Twinkl NI, to support teachers with lessons. This includes a farming through the seasons and food seasonality calendar with worksheets to reinforce the ‘farm to fork’ message.
The UFU has received immense feedback on the Twinkl resources, but we’re barely scratching the surface. Having agriculture in the curriculum would ensure all pupils have time and access to agri education, building their knowledge and presenting various career opportunities for an industry which gives back more than it receives.
It’s estimated that £1 generated in agriculture returns £7.40 to the economy.
Teachers’ knowledge
Although teachers felt confident in delivering lessons on food and farming, it was noted that they were less confident in relation to delivering lessons on food provenance, environment, biodiversity life cycles and sustainability.
To help teachers, the UFU created digital content, such as ‘springtime on the farm’, that they can slot into their classes. In this video, farmer Peter McCann shows pupils what happens throughout spring on his farm, his various breeds of sheep, upland and lowland farming practices and shepherding with his Border Collie. Likewise, William and Claire Clark from Craighall Farm provided pupils with a greater insight into their farming practices, what products are produced from milk, tips and tricks on how to grow your own delicious fruit and vegetables during the summer.
Respondents also emphasised the need for agri-professionals/experts to feature in class to teach/co-teach, providing additional support.
For the past number of years, the UFU has been visiting schools across NI providing talks to Primary, GCSE and BTEC pupils and launched a post primary school competition, as well as attending education and career networking events. Three weeks ago, alongside colleague Andrew Robinson, I attended the Engineering in Agriculture Exhibition at Coleraine University with over 350 pupils in attendance. Andrew and I engaged with pupils on ‘farm to fork’, the supply chain, agri technology and career opportunities in the industry. Connecting in the classroom and at events not only helps to develop children’s knowledge, but benefits the teacher too.
Fun and farming
Creating hands on fun experiences tends to have the most impact on children. Catering this through additional resources such as Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend schools’ day and the annual schools’ competition, has had a significant impact.
The UFU liaises with farms, schools and creates competition designs to ensure pupils have the opportunity to learn the ‘farm to fork’ message. Last year, over 1,600 pupils swapped their shoes for wellies and experienced a real-life working farm, connecting the pupils with where their food comes from. For schools that cannot physically attend, the UFU produces an online virtual farm tour so they can join in too.
The school’s competition has continued to grow with over 7,000 entries last year. There is only one week until the 2025 competition deadline. This year’s theme ‘from NI farms to fork’, we’re encouraging schools to learn how farmers work hard to produce the high-quality food we eat, and understand that for generations, farming has shaped our NI landscape.
Impact of agri education
Teacher’s time and budget continues to be a key barrier for agri education in schools, but the UFU is working to fill the vacuum as best it can with no expense for the school.
The pupils behind desks today, are the future of society, they are tomorrow’s leaders. By providing access for these young people, especially those who are not from farming backgrounds, the UFU is helping to create a world that understands agriculture and values farmers no matter their position in society. Much work is still needed, but progress is happening.
