Mum, where does chicken come from?

Should we educate our children about British farming and agriculture? And if so, how? This topic is under much debate due to the recent media coverage of new farming education schemes. While some parents may feel a little squeamish about telling their children exactly where the food on their plates comes from, the movement to educate is growing.

Organisations like the NFU (National Farmers’ Union) are keen to encourage more children to learn more about the farming industry and make the connection between what they’re eating and how it’s produced. The NFU have partnered with FACE (Farming & Countryside Education) to create and distribute teaching materials such as picture cards, posters, activity books and videos. These materials cover a variety of topics, such as habitats, food chains and farming production. They don’t shy away from the facts, detailing the lifespan of chicken and where the meat will go once they leave the farm. They also offer to organise farm visits as part of a school trip scheme. Take a look here.

Tackling childhood obesity
Many people believe that this type of education will encourage children to think more deeply about what they’re putting into their bodies and make healthier choices as they grow into adults. They argue that this could then lead to a reduction in childhood obesity, something that’s incredibly important as research shows that a third of the UK’s children are now overweight or obese. Some also feel that encouraging kids to learn about agriculture will spark an interest in the farming industry in general, gardening and being outdoors.

How to explain?
However, some parents are less enthusiastic about the idea. This is particularly true of parents of picky eaters. For some children the realisation that meat actually comes from an animal can be tricky, so it’s clear why some people would rather gloss over the subject. Parents.com advise navigating the subject by listening to your children’s concerns, being honest with them and explaining your family’s values. Of course parents will always have differing opinions, but having these things introduced at school may take the pressure off.

Join the debate What do you think? Should farming and agriculture be taught as part of the primary school syllabus? We’d love to know your thoughts and hear how you tackled this subject with your children. Comment on Facebook or tweet us @fieldandflower