Local primary school children learnt about farming when Glamorgan NFU Cymru Chairman, Abi Reader and NFU Cymru Swansea Group Secretary, Kate Miles, visited Plasmarl Primary school recently.
During the visit, Abi and Kate spoke to children in year two about how farms produce food. As a dairy farmer, Abi explained how her job is to produce happy and healthy cows who in turn produce milk. She showed the children how she makes up her cows’ feed mix, using grass and maize silage and barley which the children were able to help mix. Abi also explained the considerations that she has in keeping her cows safe and content. The children then had a go at milking Daisy, the wooden dairy cow and planned to make fresh milkshakes after the visit.
Kate talked a little about life on a mixed livestock farm, explaining the meat and wool products that are derived from sheep, as well as talking about a year in the life of a sheep farmer. She talked to the children about what went in to some of their favourite foods, such as chicken nuggets and lasagne, as well as asking them where the meat for their Christmas dinner came from - with some interesting answers.
Abi Reader said, “We were delighted to be invited to speak to the children at Plasmarl Primary School. Coming into an inner city school in Swansea gives us the opportunity to speak to children who have a limited connection with where their food comes from. It is so important that children learn the importance of eating well and know what they are eating and I hope that Kate and I have helped to bring that to life a little.”
Class teacher Louise Mabbett said, “Even though the rural Swansea Valley and Gower are not far away, many of the children in the class had limited knowledge of where their food came from. When I started teaching my topic of Global Food, I realised that I needed to start closer to home as many of the class thought milk and meat came from the supermarket, and didn’t realise the link with animals and farming. I’m really pleased that Abi and Kate were able to visit and I hope we can work together with them in future.”
Kate Miles said, “I would like to thank Miss Mabbett and the children of year two in Plasmarl for inviting us to their school. I am sure that we will be able to visit again in future.”
