Adam Henson backs School Farms

News item first posted on: 27/06/17

Farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson called on the agricultural sector to support the use of the farming environment in education to help create the next generation of people entering rural careers, at a recent conference to promote school farms and highlight the key role they can play in developing a holistic education approach.

The School Farms Network Education Alliance (SFNEA) conference 2017 took place at the Royal Agricultural University on 30 June to 1 July, hosted by the Royal Agricultural University at its Cirencester campus. 

The conference promoted interest in school farming (and other types of land-based education) through keynote presentations, breakout sessions and practitioner-focused sharing and practical workshops, addressing the themes of: 

  • School Farms as sites for learning
  • Agriculture, technology and enterprise 
  • Building student achievement, access and progression 
  • Building land-based careers and education pathways to university

Mr Henson, who was a keynote speaker at the conference, said: "The use of a farming environment with growing crops and livestock is an invaluable form of learning and I fully appreciate all the work the Schools Farms Network carries out. The agricultural sector needs to be encouraging the next generation into farming and rural careers, so engaging students at a young age can only be a good thing."

A full conference report will be available shortly. In the meantime, the conference delegate pack gives full details of the programme and speakers.

Presentations given at the conference can be accessed here.

The programme included a Gala Awards Dinner at which Mr Henson presented the inaugaral School Farms Network Awards. Image: Alison Woodham Photography

Congratulations to all of the award winners and runners-up:

  • School Farm Enterprise and Innovation Award 2017 Winner: Chipping Campden School; Runner-up: Bebington High Sports College
  • School Farm Community Engagement Award 2017 Winner: Woodchurch High School; Runner-up: Thomas Alleyne’s High School
  • Best Use of School Farm in the Curriculum Award 2017 Winner: Brockhill Park Performing Arts College; Runner-up: Eastfield Primary School
  • School Farm Leadership Award 2017 Winner: Bebington High Sports College; Runner-up: Mowbray School Farm Leadership Team
  • School Farm Student Leadership Award 2017 Winner: Kirk Hallam Community Academy
  • Best School Farm Secondary School Award 2017 Winner: Ramsey Grammar School; Runner-up: Bebington High Sports College
  • Best School Farm Primary School Award 2017 Winner: Eastfields Primary School; Runner-up: Edwalton Primary School
  • Best School Farm Award 2017 Winner: Brockhill Park Performing Arts College
     

award_-_all_winners_celebrate2_0.jpg