PRIMARY school students in Launceston recently got the opportunity to learn about the pathway of their food from ‘farm to fork’.

They were given a visit by a farm and country agricultural team who enlisted the students into taking part in some activities around dairy farming, with some hands-on interactive learning for the year two students.

Children learned about the processes used from the farming of food on farms to reaching their dinner plate, with the pupils learning about both arable food production and livestock.

After, the executive headteacher for the school observed of the importance of children learning about the pathway from farm to fork, including exploring the essential relationship between farmers and their land.

Maura Furber, the executive headteacher of St Stephens’ Community Primary and Lewannick Primary School said: “Years one and two were really excited to have a visit from the Farm and Country Agricultural Team highlighting 'field to fork'. The year ones took part in fun activities based around dairy farming, and the Year twos took part in interactive and hands on learning based around arable farming.”

The children were effusive in their praise for the workshop they had undertaken, with a range of views expressed by them after their experiences with Jo, who represented the Farm and Country Agricultural team.

“It took me a lot of hard work to solve the puzzles...We worked together as a team!”

“The apple is squeezed down into little bits to make juice...It was called pulp.”

“I liked sitting on the sheep's carpet because it is so fluffy!”

“Sausages come from pigs, eggs come from chickens and wool comes from sheep. We get lots of food from animals. We use eggs to make cake and pancakes.”

“My favourite part of the farm bus was when we got to grind the grains. They use them to make things like porridge and flapjack.”

“The farmers clean the potatoes in a big machine before they are sold.”

“I loved having a go at feeling all the seeds...I've never done that before.”

“To make a Cornish pasty, they use lots of vegetables and then they twist it with their hands, so that when their hands are dirty they hold it with the twisty bit.”

Ms Furber added: “These enrichment opportunities are so valuable for the children and we would like to thank the Farm and Agricultural Team for this wonderful opportunity. By exploring agriculture, children can learn about the impact of human actions on nature, the essential relationship between farmers and their land, and how food is produced. This helps them develop an appreciation for the environment and encourages their engagement in protecting it.”