LEAF Education puts British farming and food in the spotlight during Farming Fortnight 2022

This June, more than 300,000 young people across the UK were involved in a two week focus on British farming and food production during Farming Fortnight.

Delivered by leading education organisation LEAF Education, Farming Fortnight took place from 6-17 June 2022, offering a wide range of engaging and informative national curriculum linked resources and materials on farming, food production and the natural environment, supporting teachers in delivering inspiring lessons and activities. Each day focussed on a different farming theme, with dedicated social media hashtags to encourage schools and students to share their learning experiences – with #MilkingMonday proving the most popular day.

LEAF Education Director of Education and Public Engagement, Carl Edwards, explained: “Now in its fourth year, Farming Fortnight provides an exciting and inspiring platform to educate and connect children and young people with where their food comes from. This is vital for ensuring that they lead healthy, active lifestyles, whilst making informed food choices – all while capturing their enthusiasm to connect with topical issues around climate change, sustainable diets, wellbeing and showcasing the range of future career opportunities available within the agricultural sector.

“This year, the campaign, which is now an established date in the academic year, continued to show growth in engagement and since launching in 2019, almost four million young people have engaged with our resources and videos!”.

Farming Fortnight is supported by Farming Minister, Victoria Prentis, who said: “Farmers produce the food we eat and care for the environment that we rely on. Farming Fortnight is an excellent initiative, and I passionately believe that we should teach children about the work that our farmers do, and I urge as many schools as possible to take part.”

Farming Fortnight was developed as a result of LEAF’s pioneering teenager research and in collaboration with staff and students from LEAF Education Demonstration School, Brockhill Park Performing Arts College.

Farming Fortnight 2023 will take place from 5-16 June. It is free for schools to get involved and all campaign resources are available from www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/farmingfortnight