OVER a thousand youngsters from primary schools across Devon flocked to Westpoint, Exeter for Farmwise, an annual event that teaches how and where local food comes from.

The event has been running for over ten years, stopped only briefly due to the pandemic. On display was every part of the farm yard and beyond, from calves to combine harvesters, honey bees to horticulture.

Deborah Custance Baker, chairman and key organiser of the event explained how the event came about: ‘It was so obvious that children had no idea about what was going on in and around them, so we started to ask every primary school in Devon to come here for the day and learn about where their food comes from.

‘Even in rural areas, school children often take for granted that their food comes from a shelf in the supermarket. This event really takes things back to basics going right back from the fork to the field and looking at all that happens in between. It shows that food doesn’t come from a plastic bag, it’s a labour of love, and the people who produce it are important to our country.’

After a long period without trips and educational events, Farmwise gave children an opportunity to escape the classroom and get hands-on with their learning. Nicky Beasley, a teacher at Chudleigh Knighton School, said: ‘These guys have been missing out because of Covid so this is such an important day for them outside of the classroom. It’s a great day for the kids to experience something that they haven’t done in the past and learn about where our food comes from.’

Almost everyone helping out at the event were volunteers, Ms Custance Baker said: ‘I’d like to thank everyone for giving up their day, everyone here’s a volunteer and doing this for free. They all bring everything which costs quite a few people quite a bit of money but they’re all willing because these kids are our future.’