North Yorkshire business hosts farm visit for its chosen charity
The team at a North Yorkshire rapeseed oil business finished the 2022 season of its popular Farm Discovery Days by hosting a visit for its chosen charity.
A group of seven young people and support workers from Malton charity, Ryedale Special Families visited Uncleby Education Centre, and enjoyed a fun day of walking, learning and crafting.
The event was organised by former teacher, Esther Palmer, who said: "In addition to a farm walk that was led by Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil founder, Adam Palmer and fellow farmer, Mike Stringer, we also explored creative activities including nature wreath-making and pumpkin carving. The group also enjoyed finding out more about the tractor and learning about the field-to-fork journey of rapeseed and locally grown cereal crops that we tailored to suit the age of the group who ranged from three to 22."
Ryedale Special Families' care co-ordinator Kate Swift enjoyed the day:" I thought the farm day was great. Both children and staff were welcomed and well looked after. There was a relaxed atmosphere and the children had plenty of time to enjoy each aspect: they loved the tractor and got lots of time and attention whilst sitting in it. The people at the farm could have been part of RSF because of how they interacted with our group. The activities were enjoyed by all."
Uncleby is one of two Yorkshire Wolds farms that is the base for free visits that are suitable for pupils of all ages. The other is Breckenholme, home to Yorkshire Rapseseed Oil.
Designed by Mrs Palmer and led by a farmer, each Farm Discovery Day is carefully planned with the teacher to match the curriculum and is tailored to the needs of the individual group and is suitable for foundation, primary and secondary-aged pupils plus children with learning disabilities. The visits are funded byNatural England as part of its ‘One Million Children Outdoors' programme which aims to introduce one million school-age children to the natural environment and connect them with how their food is grown and reared.
"Using the great outdoors as a classroom is a fantastic way to inspire young people. Me and farmer Mike introduce the children to a day on the farm. Whether that's discovering animals or crops up close, our days are always linked to field to fork and the nature around us and are designed to engage the children with nature and farming," said Mr Palmer.
"This Spring sees a return to our popular ‘Focus on Sheep' Days that includes meetingand talking with a shepherd and having contact with young lambs and ewes.The children learn how we manage the flock, the life cycle of the sheep, how we use the wool, and when and how the lambs go to market."
Bookings are now being taken for a limited number of Focus on Sheep Days. For more information and to book, contactMarcelle Tisserant by calling01759 361550or emailingeducation@breckenholme.co.uk
Ryedale Special Families began in the early 1990's when a group of 20 families of disabled children started to meet in their own homes in order to share challenges and experiences, as well as offer mutual support to each other. It became a registered charity in 1997 and now provides support to350 families throughout the Ryedale area.
The team at Breckenholme are aiming to raise £3,000 for the charity through a series of events and a limited edition Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil product. They have also set up aJust Giving pagehttps://bit.ly/YROJustGivingRSFfor donations.
Ends
Photo: Adam Palmer and Ryedale Special Families' support workersGrace Dolan (left) and Becky Stephenson (right) are pictured with some of the visitors. Adam Palmer and Ryedale Special Families
For more information or to arrange an interview withAdam or Esther Palmer,please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on:
Direct line:01430 871360
Mobile:07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
- Educational access is part of both the Environmental Stewardship and the Countryside Stewardship Schemes, and EU funds are utilised to support land managers to host visitors to learn in the countryside. Visiting groups can include school parties studying a range of subjects through the National Curriculum, or groups of vulnerable people wishing to learn about food production, farming, wildlife conservation, landscape and historical features.
Natural England's aim is to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. Natural England administers these schemes to help land managers achieve this goal.