Farmwise returns to teach children in Devon where their food comes from

The annual Devon 'Farmwise' event takes place today, teaching children where their food comes from.

Hundreds of primary school pupils, aged seven to eleven, will discover things like how to deliver a lamb and also how sausages are made.

The Westpoint-based event, which started back in 2013, aims to 'help children understand where the food that they eat comes from and hopefully inspire a next generation of young people to become farmers'.

Deborah Custance-Baker, Chair of Farmwise, said: "We know that children are lucky enough to get to experience many days out, but this one always seems to be a firm favourite amongst pupils and teachers alike.

“It is wonderful for them to get up close and be able to feel so many different aspects of food production.

"The children have always got wide smiles on their faces as they get stuck into the activities, which means they’re not just learning about farming and rural life, they’re genuinely enjoying the experience, too. And that’s surely what successful learning is all about."

The event is organised in partnership with Devon County Agricultural Association, Devon County Council, Norse Group and Mole Valley Farmers.

Activities for Farmwise Devon 2025 will include:

1. Delivering a lamb – one of the most popular activities at the event last year, it’s back for 2023! The experience involves a sheep simulator and a cuddly toy covered in gloop, which the children can pull through the simulator, as if the sheep is giving birth.

2. Sausage making. Children will feed pork mince through the sausage machine into casings, cook them up and sample their works of art.

3. Apple picking – Children will be collecting apples from the in situ apple orchard, putting them into a mulcher and then into a press to create apple juice.

4. The children will be making wildflower seed bombs to take back to school and release them into the school grounds to encourage wildlife.

5. Piglets, sheep, goats and cattle will be on site, offering the children the opportunity to get up close and personal – something many of the attending children may never have done before.

6. Butter making

7. The largest combine harvester in Devon

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