Like most farmers, I reckon that I was put here primarily to grow food. Like most, I also long for the simplicity of that being our sole purpose. But there are increasing calls for the land to sequester carbon, fight climate change, restore nature, provide amenities, and keep us sane; one of Rishi Sunak’s parting suggestions was that farmers should employ those struggling with mental health. Agriculture contributes a mere 0.6 per cent to the nation’s GDP through growing food. Solar farms or barn conversions can be supported by the market, but we could be doing so much more with our land that cannot be measured in money alone.
Last weekend, my daughter Alice brought a group of year sevens from her school in Woolwich, London down to the farm, to camp, forage, and wallow in mud. It is always a huge amount of work setting up the camp and keeping them safe – but also hugely rewarding. Most of the children had barely been outside London, and had never camped; a truly dark, starlit night was a first for them, as was the freedom to wander, fill themselves with strawberries and peas, and then cook their gleanings on an open fire. As in previous years, they quickly and bravely adapted to the novel surroundings, including a very basic composting toilet. The rain poured down, and trainers became sodden – but they showed extraordinary resilience. Children who, I am told, barely speak at school, became ebullient out in the fields: gathering food for their supper, making flatbreads, walking, bat-watching, and meeting our mellow cattle and their calves, plus Bernard the bull.
Perhaps we need to redefine our role as farmers to include husbandry not just of the soil, but also of the people who walk on it. A big ask, but one that our quietly inspirational neighbour Chris Parsons embraced 11 years ago, when he founded the charity LandWorks. They use woodcraft, vegetable growing, and cooking as a vehicle to rehabilitate offenders and offer a pathway back into society. Despite the frustrations of working with an underfunded prison system in crisis, reoffending rates for participants are just 5 per cent, compared to a national average of 37 per cent, and employment rates are 94 per cent. Several have joined us at Riverford. Last week, LandWorks won the top prize at this year’s Charity Awards. See more about this very well-deserved win at landworks.org.uk (just click ‘News’). Plus, Chris’s posts detailing life at LandWorks are great reads.
Wow, this sounds amazing, My granddaughters recently went camping with the Cubs. Their first time away without parents. They gained so much from this experience. Came home grubby and smelling of campfire, but super smiles on their faces. Well done Riverford, great project.
This is as I grew up with scout camps (age 11 to 13); I enjoyed being at home but equally enjoyed being away; learning to forage and cook on an open fire etc. Then we moved to the countryside and I got to help out on the local farms. What an education. I’d recommend this to anyone to open up the opportunities for their children.
The Year 6 children at the primary school my children attended in SE London used to spend a week at a farm in Devon. It was the highlight of their schooling.
Thank you Guy – very well put. Farming produces food for the soul – as well as for the mind and body. We need food for our souls just as much as for our tummies. It’s a pity that ‘souls’ are so embarrassing!
And thank you so much for that class of Year 7s. I can quite understand that it’s far more work than we’d expect, but those children had a wonderful week and will turn into slightly better and happier adults because of it!
Very best wishes,
Joanna
Yes you nailed it Guy. There are now an average of 15 farms per county providing a service ‘for people that walk on it’.
In the South East, we signpost parents, carers & schools to them every week. We also encourage those farmers to network using a WhatsApp group and annual in-person events.
If Wicked Leeks readers need more information farmbuddies.org.uk
What a great resource! Thank you for sharing.