FARMERS and growers from across Britain are hoping to inspire and educate children about food and where it comes from as a part of a new #LockdownLearning project, which is being launched today April 7). The free, online resource comes as thousands of parents are now home-schooling their children due to the coronavirus.

The project, which was developed by the NFU and the team of farmers at EatFarmNow, provides exciting educational farming activities for children while they are away from school, helping to build their knowledge of science and technology alongside learning all about food production.

Children will hear first-hand about how their food gets from farm to fork, with well-known farming faces such as Countryfile’s Adam Henson and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty documenting their farming journey through online videos and social media.

The project will focus on different themes over the next four weeks, starting with an Easter theme for over the Easter holiday and then focusing on horticulture, food and technology in agriculture. Educational resources designed by the NFU’s education team of former teachers will be available for parents to use, as well as activities from other educational farming programmes.

NFU president Minette Batters said: “This is an unprecedented time for all of us. Many parents are now having to come up with a home-schooling plan for the first time and we wanted to provide an educational project that was fun and exciting for both children and parents.

“Our online resources are all about hands-on, practical learning, using food and farming to help parents teach science, technology, engineering and maths, which are key topics in the national curriculum. A combination of videos, activities and challenges mean these resources have something for everyone.

“And with most children now learning from home, #LockdownLearning brings the world of food and farming, and the joy of being out on in the countryside, to their very own living rooms and kitchens and hopefully starts them on a journey where they recognise the importance of having a vibrant farming sector.”

EatFarmNow farmer Will Evans said: “While the coronavirus occupies the headlines, our farmers are getting on with the day job, producing high quality food for us all. I hope that hearing from us first-hand will excite and inspire children, and using subjects like science and technology will help them to learn more about these important areas of the national curriculum via food and farming projects.

“In the coming weeks and months I encourage all farmers and growers to get involved and post their own videos on social media using the #LockdownLearning hashtag and to join this project which will help reconnect children with the great outdoors.”

Meanwhile parents and teachers are also being urged to visit Countryside Classroom to access free educational resources to help children learn about food, farming and the natural environment.

Managed and led by national education organisation, LEAF Education, the online portal brings together a consortium of 31 industry organisations offering a vital source of information for home-schooling.

Carl Edwards, Director of LEAF Education explained that it was more important than ever before for the farming industry to work together at this time, to make it easier for teachers and parents who are home-schooling to access the right resources: “We understand that it can be daunting for parents home-schooling for the first time. Since 2015, when it was first launched, Countryside Classroom, has led the way in being the trusted place for teachers and parents to access all they need for home-schooling across the full range of ages and curriculum subjects. Collectively, all the partners involved, want to play our part in educating children and supporting teachers and parents at this challenging time by sharing our up to date and quality resources.”

LEAF Education works to inspire and educate future generations about farming, food and the countryside. Its education booklets, which are available from Countryside Classroom, include topics such as STEM, maths in the garden, storytelling and other indoor and outdoor home education activities.

Parents or teachers can also access Countryside Classroom’s resources through its weekly blog, access the blog and resources here https://www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/home-education, which highlights a different theme every week including: • Biodiversity, habitats and wildlife • Cooking • Farm animals • Growing veg • Puzzles, games and simple makes • Spring activities • Sustainability • Where food comes from One of LEAF Education’s key initiatives, which is ideal for parents home-schooling, is Farming Fortnight (1-12th June). Farming Fortnight encourages teachers and parents to utilise a wide range of engaging national curriculum linked online resources and materials. These include topic sheets, lesson plans, case studies and videos exploring different farming sectors to inspire young people about food and farming. To find out more about Farming Fortnight, visit www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/farmingfortnight