A FARM in West Putford near Holsworthy has been shortlisted for a prestigious Bayer Farming & Countryside Education (FACE) award for working with disadvantaged children.

Jenni and Andrew Guy have been doing great work at Julian’s Farm, West Putford, and have organised educational visits to their farm for a number of years.

Their dedication to teaching children, whether in primary or secondary educations, about food and farming has put them on the shortlist for the ‘Access Award’. The award is given to a farm that demonstrates outstanding achievements in encouraging access for pupils with special needs, disaffected students or disadvantaged young people.

Jenni said: “We are very excited to hear we have been shortlisted for the Bayer/FACE awards. We were shortlisted in 2015 too.

“We offer two types of school visits, one being educational visits for primary schools and the other being ‘care farming’ sessions for both Holsworthy College and Okehampton College.

“Our visits allow children to access the countryside in a way they would not otherwise be able to do. The care farming focuses on building confidence, communication and team building skills and many students flourish and continue to make progress when back in the classroom, which is fantastic.

“We are grateful to Harpers Feeds, Mole Valley Farmers, Penbode Vets, Smallridges, the Devon Wildlife Trust and Kivells, all of whom contribute to these sessions.

“We also run survival days with Roli Jones of Bear Track Survival. Next year we will also be able to offer ‘Wild Tribe’ sessions.”

Commenting on the awards, Janet Hickinbottom, national education officer at FACE, 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 exhilarating as we uncover what goes on during these inspiring collaborations between schools and farms.”

Michael Muncey, head of business for Bayer Crop Science in the UK, 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. As the UK’s leading supplier of crop protection products we are delighted to help organise the Bayer/FACE Awards again this year.”

The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in London this autumn.