FIFTEEN hundred primary school children enjoyed a hand’s on day, learning about farming and food production at the annual Farm and Country Day.

It was held in the Exhibition Halls at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge.

The successful event, which is in its fourth year, has become a much anticipated fixture in the calendar and is jointly organised by the Cornwall Food and Farming Group and Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association.

The pupils, aged between seven and nine, were drawn from 42 schools from across Cornwall — including Boscastle, Otterham, St Joseph’s, Launceston, Werrington, North Petherwin and Port Isaac.

More than 200 farmers, food producers and representatives from businesses and organisations related to agriculture attended.

They created exhibits that brought the journey of food, from farm to plate, alive.

Children came face-to-face with cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, visited a milking parlour, hunted for worms in the soil as well as learned about arable and vegetable crops.

There was also a chance for the pupils to enjoy making and tasting food, created from locally grown and reared produce.

Children made butter, with the help of Trewithen Dairy, applied stinging nettles to Cornish Yarg cheese, with Lynher Dairies, and perfected their crimping skills under the guidance of recently crowned world champion pasty makers, Warrens Bakery.

Nicky Osborne, Year 3 teacher from Windmill Hill Academy, Launceston, said on the day: “The children learnt so much more than they could have in a day in the classroom. ”

Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association media and education manager Steven Michell feels that while the children enjoyed a fun-filled day, the event also offered a prime opportunity to educate them on how the countryside and agricultural industries operate.

He said: “It’s surprising to think that even in a very rural county like Cornwall, the next generation are increasingly unaware of where their food actually comes from.

“There are so many myths and misconceptions about farming and food so it gives farmers and food producers a chance to address this and create a better informed future generation of customers.

“We are indebted to the numerous volunteers who give up their time and event sponsors, their money, for enabling this event to be staged and create such a rewarding experience for all.”