FARMING MATTERS: Award nomination for farming links to education

Claire Morris has been hosting education visits from schools at College Farm in Long Crendon for over seven years.

In addition to showing visitors around the farm she has a welcoming lodge which can accommodate up to 40 people and which has a boot room, toilet and kitchen.

Mrs Morris has been shortlisted in the Farm School Partnership category of the Bayer/FACE Awards, which celebrate the very best in food and farming education.

Mrs Morris was chosen because of the openness of her business to collaborate with schools, for building successful relationships with several schools and for making a valuable and sustained contribution to school life both on and away from the farm.

National education officer at FACE, Janet Hickinbottom, said: “We have a strong tradition of working together to celebrate the tremendous work carried out by unsung heroes who do so much to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about the countryside with young people.

“The process isn’t an easy one but the outcome is always exhilerating as we uncover what goes on during these inspiring collaborations between schools and farms.”

Andrew Orme, managing director at Bayer CropScience, said: “With an increasing global population and less land to grow our food there has never been a greater need for people to have a better understanding of where their food comes from. “

The winners will be annouced at a ceremony in London in the autumn.