Jamie Oliver supports major farming event

CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has given his backing to a major event aimed at helping children discover more about farming.

The Essex Schools Food and Farming Day will be staged on 27 May at Writtle College, near Chelmsford. Some 3,000 primary schoolchildren and 500 teachers are expected to learn about the countryside and where their food comes from and the countryside.

Held in conjunction with Essex Agricultural Society and Essex County Council, the aim is to give children a better understanding of the food chain and the role played by farming in the county.

Mr Oliver, who hails from Clavering, near Saffron Walden, has endorsed the event. “We all know how vital it is to teach children about the importance of good food. One good place to start that education is down on the farm. As an Essex boy, I’m really excited.”

The event will be split into a trail around five zones – machinery, crops, livestock, food and countryside and environment – each of which encompass a key element of the food and farming story.

Some 200 farmers have been recruited as stewards to guide group of children through the various activities, giving pupils direct contact with members of the local food and farming community.

Essex farmer Guy Smith, who is chairman of the event steering group, said the day would help dispel the myth that Essex was a predominately urban county without much countryside.

“If you look at the map you can see there is far more green than grey. Essex is important to farming and farming is important to Essex. Essex school children are our future consumers and future countryside users.”

It was important to explain to young students how and why farmers look after the countryside, said Mr Smith. The event was already fully booked, he added. “We are very proud that non-farmers take such an interest in what we.”

Peter Martin, leader of Essex County Council, said youngsters would have the opportunity to see first hand how agriculture shaped the countryside, providing access to open spaces and healthy recreational activities.

“Essex is an important agricultural county, employing thousands and feeding millions, so it is important that we show children how to understand and preserve this landscape.”