Connecting city children with food, farming and nature

As recent pressures on the farming industry increase, understanding where food comes from and how it is produced is becoming ever more important.

Farms for City Children was founded in 1976 and has welcomed more than 100,000 children and young people to week-long residentials on its three farms in Devon, Gloucestershire and Pembrokeshire.

Head of operations, Tim Rose, emphasises the need to engage young people with these issues.

“Education around food and farming… is so important for children to see the full circle of farming,” Tim says. “The impact that that can have on young people is so important.”

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The children visiting the project experience authentic farm work, learning about harvest and livestock farming and using produce from the farm to cook meals.

“It’s a really connected experience,” says Tim.

He points out that many children, particularly those living in cities, have limited knowledge of food production.

This gap in understanding affects not only individual awareness, but also broader concerns such as the UK’s food supply and economy.

“Food is one of the fundamentals in human existence,” Tim adds.

“We live in a complex world with food supply, and global production is a huge thing.

“Few people really think about that, and it’s important to educate children on the importance of food for the UK economy and food security.

“Engaging with food and farming should be a right for all children; we should be supporting the aspirations of young people from all backgrounds to learn about food and farming.”