Chapter 2 – Schools: understanding the costs of going on a farm visit
Will the visit benefits outweigh the cost implications?
Due to the costs involved from the school’s perspective, it is important to consider whether a visit to a biofarm fits your learning requirements. It may also be that you will need to justify your plans to colleagues and / or senior management before you start to spend money on organizing the visit. A visit to a biofarm will have a range of benefits to pupils, teachers and / or parents. A farm visit can:
- provide a stimulating and versatile outdoor classroom
- support the curriculum with engaging activities before, during and after a visit
- contribute to developing children's social and personal skills
- create interest and motivation that can be carried back to classroom activities
- help children understand where their food comes from
- teach children in a direct, hands-on way about may important topics include nutrition, animal welfare, sustainability and conservation
- allow for physical exercise
- increase children's appreciation and understanding of the natural environment
- give children first-hand experience of farming and the countryside
- show children the importance of good husbandry
- introduce children to some of the issues around agriculture and rural affairs
- raise awareness of careers available in the countryside
- provide an opportunity for children to meet people from different backgrounds
- allow children to understand risk and how to manage it
- provide teachers with an opportunity for professional development by gaining farming and countryside knowledge, and experience of outdoor education