Welcome to my first entry on my FWi blog. Let me introduce myself - I am Tony Cooke, the Programme Director of the Year of Food and Farming. My background is in arable farming - I live with my wife Emma and three children on our family farm in South Yorkshire. For some years I was a LEAF Demonstration Farmer which was great fun, and I have also been the regional chair of Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy in Yorkshire & Humber for the last five years. Outside of work, I am also a governor of Askham Bryan College and a trustee of Yorkshire Rural Community Council.
So my heart's firmly in the countryside. I got involved in the Year of Food and Farming because I wanted to play a part in changing children's relationship with food and farming. I have hosted school visits on my own farm from urban areas such as Leeds and Sheffield for many years and it never ceases to amaze me the impact that a day in the countryside has on these kids.
I have seen it first hand, so it came as no surprise to me when we commissioned research in advance of the launch of the Year, that this research revealed some startling figures about children's relationship with food, farming and the countryside. I will go into detail about these findings in my next blog, so come back for more.
For now, if you want to get a better picture about my farm and what we are doing at home for the Year, then please visit my space on the Year's website by clicking the link on this page.