School pupils get hands-on taste of farming careers
© NFU More than 40 school pupils have gained hands-on farming experience as part of a programme aimed at attracting a more diverse agricultural workforce.
The 43 Year 9 and 10 pupils from across the country spent five days in the Peak District learning about farming, food production and potential careers in the sector.
See also: School-farm partnership puts agriculture on the curriculum
Held from 24-28 August, the residential formed part of the AgriFuture Scholarship Programme, run by the NFU, British Ethnicity and Diversity Society and Equalinks.
The initiative aims to encourage young people from racially marginalised backgrounds into agriculture through mentoring, residential visits and work placements.
© NFU
During the trip, pupils tried tractor driving at the Adventure Farm Activity Centre, where they were joined by NFU vice-president Robyn Munt.
They also visited Pye Ash Farm in Cheshire for sheepdog and wool workshops and gained practical experience working alongside a farm vet.
Other sessions explored the wider food supply chain, including butchery and cooking workshops, while a University of Southampton-led session demonstrated how artificial intelligence can be used to monitor wildlife through birdsong.
Teamwork and confidence
Outdoor activities, including raft building and zip lining, were also used to develop teamwork and confidence.
Ms Munt said: “It is fantastic to get young people out on farm and showcase to them the vast range of career opportunities our sector has to offer.
“Through hands-on experiences like this residential, we are helping the next generation to see themselves working in agriculture while at the same time building confidence and developing other valuable skills for their futures, such as teamwork.”
Ms Munt added that programmes like AgriFuture encourage young people from all cultures and backgrounds to consider a future in agriculture, “bringing fresh ideas and perspectives that will strengthen the industry for years to come”.
