The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) is bringing farming directly into primary school classrooms in Northern Ireland through the launch of its new interactive educational resource, Farm In A Box.
Developed for foundation level pupils, the Farm In A Box initiative was officially launched at Glenwood Primary School in Belfast, and has been well received by a number of primary schools across Northern Ireland.
The Farm In A Box packs given to schools contain raw wool, a traditional drop spindle, a magnifying glass, samples of animal meal, hay, wheat and soil as well as a range of age-appropriate activities, teacher guidance notes and curriculum-linked resources.
LMC education and consumer promotions manager, Emma Brownlee said, “We are delighted to launch Farm In A Box which brings learning to life with interactive resources carefully curated to support hands-on exploratory learning.
“With Farm In A Box we aim to educate pupils on the farm-to-fork journey of beef and lamb as well as building a wider understanding of the role that farming plays in everyday life across Northern Ireland.”
LMC education initiative has an impact beyond the classroom
Colin Smith, LMC chief executive, added: “Farm In A Box felt like a natural progression for LMC’s education programme, enabling LMC to engage with young people earlier than ever before, supporting pupils from the very start of their educational journey. Together with our wider portfolio of initiatives, it allows us to provide guidance, inspiration and opportunities right through from primary school to further and higher education.”
“Strengthening awareness and appreciation of Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured beef and lamb is helping to sustain future demand for the products.”
Colin Smith, LMC
Smith continued: “The Farm in a Box resource engages young minds with the farm to fork journey at an age-appropriate level and helps spark curiosity and understanding about where our food comes from. What makes our education programme truly impactful is its span beyond the classroom, information is frequently taken home and shared with parents, carers and siblings. This broadens the conversation beyond the classroom creating greater awareness across multiple generations and strengthening those all-important connections between consumers and the agri-food industry.
“LMC’s education programme delivers real value for levy payers by investing in the development of future talent for the sector and future consumers, strengthening awareness and appreciation of Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured beef and lamb is helping to sustain future demand for the products.”
Farm In A Box is available free to primary schools in Northern Ireland and orders will reopen on 1st September: lmceducation.org.uk.
