51AVÊÓÆµ

Rural Education Matters: Hannah Jackson - 'Getting children interested in where their food comes from will help protect the future of the industry'

The 'Red Shepherdess' voices her support for the petition to embed food, farming and sustainability education into the national curriculum

clock • 1 min read
Hannah Jackson, the 'Red Shepherdess'.
Image:

Hannah Jackson, the 'Red Shepherdess'.

It is absolutely vital that we teach our young children about growing and producing food. If we want our children to have interest and passion for agriculture then we have to make that accessible and ignite that spark when our children are young.

SIGN THE PETITION:Ìý

Role models

We cannot be what we cannot see and it is vital that all children, especially those from non-farming backgrounds, understand that this is a career they can also do. It took me until after university to realise that you did not have to be born on a farm to be a farmer – I was just lacking role models and exposure to the industry.Ìý

READ NOW: Kaleb Cooper supports petition to get farming into schools

Supporting British

Even if children do not want to particularly farm, just getting children interested in where their food comes from and the importance of supporting British will help protect the future of the industry.

LISTEN NOW:

More on Education

Schoolchildren in Sussex and Surrey learn to care for sheep and lambs through 'Loan a Lamb' scheme

Schoolchildren in Sussex and Surrey learn to care for sheep and lambs through 'Loan a Lamb' scheme

By bringing real farm animals into schools, the scheme aims to bridge the gap between children and food production

clock 09 May 2026 • 2 min read
NSA members bring sheep farming into the classroom

NSA members bring sheep farming into the classroom

The association has encouraged farmers to bridge the gap between farm and fork/fabric by engaging with pupils to help develop a better understanding of farming and the countryside

clock 02 May 2026 • 2 min read
NFU Education teaches 255,000 schoolchildren about farming during British Science week

NFU Education teaches 255,000 schoolchildren about farming during British Science week

This year's Science 51AVÊÓÆµLive lessons have helped children understand how their food goes from field to fork and has also provided a valuable opportunity to inspire the next generation of farmers and consumers

clock 25 March 2026 • 2 min read