The Melplash Agricultural Society’s Discover Farming @ Vurlands Animal Farm event exceeded all expectation!  The interactive learning experience that aims to educate young people where food comes from, and the importance of agriculture and the countryside was attended by 1000 visitors throughout the day.

Society Director and Discover Farming Chairman, Marcus Beresford explains:

“Communicating with the next generation is vital to the future of farming.  Our Discover Farming programme is the tool the Society uses to enable us to connect directly with young people.   Not only do we aim to increase their understanding of where food comes from as a consumer but also to encourage them to consider the agricultural industry as a potential future employer.”

At this unique one day event, children  were given the chance to::

·        Drive radio-controlled tractors around the farm

·        Have a  virtual Dairy Farm tour

·        Make and cook pancakes

·        Juice apples and make smoothies

·        Turn milk into butter

·        Build Charlie’s barn

·        Find out more about livestock

·        Have a go at wool spinning

·        Milk a cow and much more..

Society Director and Discover Farming Project Manager, George Streatfeild commented ‘The day was an unmitigated success – our activities didn’t stop from doors opening until they shut again.  We had almost 1000 visitors all keen to get involved in understanding from where their food comes from and how it is produced as well as learning about countryside careers opportunities.  Our 50 volunteer helpers haven’t talked that much for a very long time!   A huge thank you to them for given up so much time, our sponsors for their generosity and special thanks to the Ives family for allowing us to host the event at Vurlands Animal Farm.