I’m hoping for dry weather today as I am spending the morning at the rather stunning Cambridge University Botanic Garden where Shadow Agriculture Minister James Paice, Cambridge MP David Howarth, Euro-MP Andrew Duff and Cambridge Mayor Jenny Bailey will roll up their sleeves and join local school children in sowing vegetable seeds.
They will also pledge their support to educate our young people about the
origins of their food.
It’s one of several NIAB projects being held over the next few weeks to celebrate the Year of Food and Farming.
NIAB has teamed up with the world famous Botanic Garden to raise awareness for young people about the origins of the food we eat and the importance of plant science. The Year of Food and Farming campaign was launched last September by Prince Charles at his Highgrove home and will run until August. Its aims are to help children find out more about the countryside and where their food comes from through memorable, first-hand learning experiences.
Leading scientists from NIAB are also visiting schools in the region and taking food and farming to the classroom to get the message across. I feel this is such a valuable lesson for our young people. I joined them at one of their sessions last week and the pupils really really enthused.
The future of our food supply is an issue which is becoming increasingly important due to our changing agricultural landscape and climatic uncertainties. This is a topic I am following closely as I believe it is so critical. I also plan to take some pics from today’s event to send to the media, as well as some YouTube videos, so I’m hoping for dry weather.
After writing my press release and feeding the family, I then have to dash back in to Cambridge for my son’s parents’ evening at his school; it’s going to be one big rush in the commuter traffic, finding a parking space, then locating the right classroom and joining a lengthy queue of equally harassed parents. Tomorrow is going to be just as hectic too.
I might feel like complaining about this now, but one day I won’t have to rush around after the family any more, the boys will have left home for uni and I shall remember those mad days when I had to fit 30 hours work into a 24 hour day – and wish I could have them back.
*I met the YFF Programme Director Tony Cooke this morning who told me he writes a blog, which you can read here.
Hoping the sun bursts thru for you
The Gardens definitely look great in autumn colours, and beautifully colourful in the bright Spring sunlight
It’s a lovely (but chilly) day up here in the Lakes, I hope it is the same for you in the Cambridge Botanical Gardens 🙂
Lovely pics, Ellee. Sounds like an interesting day. As a teacher, I used to hate parents’ evenings, because the ones you really needed to see never came and you always needed more time to really explain things.
I do hope you had good weather for this very worthwhile day. Hands-on experience will forever remain in children’s memories and help them to help our planet.
Now I have another spot to add to my list of places to visit when I come back to England.
I do hope it didn’t rain on your fun outing today and you made it to the school in time.
I remember those days so well.
Yes, thankfully the sun did shine, we had some very well behaved children to work with, and the guests were great too. I must return to the Botanic Garden another day and have a more leisurely visit and admire all their stunning plants and landscaping.