School Farm & Country Fair 2008

Preparations are underway for the eighth School Farm & Country Fair, which takes place on Wednesday 23rd April 2008 at TrinityPark in Ipswich.

This extremely successful one day event, which started back in 2001, is organised by the Suffolk Agricultural Association. It allows over 3,500 pupils and their teachers from 86 different countywide schools the opportunity of a real ‘hands on’ experience learning about food, farming and the environment.

This action packed day is full of exciting activities. Children will be able to watch the miracle of life as eggs hatch to reveal newborn chicks and ducklings, learn all about the importance of food and farming and watch sheep dog trials to name just a few. There will be lots of different exhibitors with interactive displays and a series of demonstrations taking place in the grand ring. Each school is escorted around the demonstrations by their own dedicated steward from the local farming community and can therefore answer any questions that the children may have.

New for this year is a fun, interactive and educational opportunity to encourage children to recycle and compost materials. This will also help them to develop an interest in environmental issues. Also new is the seed growing activity where children can have a go at sieving, seeding and filling pots. They will also be able to take their very own seedlings of herbs home.

“The School Farm & Country Fair is considered by this Association to be the most important event we stage in addition to the Suffolk Show, which allows the Association to achieve one of its many charitable objectives. The event is specifically devised to help 7 to 9 year old children gain a greater understanding of food production in the County and traditional countryside activities” says Christopher Bushby, Executive Director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association.

Each child has an equal opportunity to attend as each school receives a grant to offset the cost of transportation to the event. The Association relies on the generous support of three principal organisations: Chadacre Agricultural Trust, Felix Thornley Cobbold Agricultural Trust and Waitrose. Other kind sponsors include: PROCAM Agriculture Limited, Bidwells Property Consultants, Birketts, Binder Ltd, NFU Mutual – Ipswich, Barker Gotelee Solicitors, Hutchinsons, Castleacre Insurance Services Ltd, Avocet Agronomy, Barclays Commercial Bank – East Anglia Agriculture Team, Birkett Long Solicitors, Major Philip Hope-Cobbold and J & H Bunn Ltd

Ends

For further information and images please contact Hannah Williams at the Suffolk Agricultural Association. Telephone 01473 707118 or email Hannah.williams@suffolkshow.co.uk

Download this Press Realease as a pdf: