The National Forest Adventure Farm brought some of its newest arrivals to meet local schoolchildren and introduce them to the world of farming
Five schools across East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire recently welcomed Farmers Tom and Ivor Robinson of the National Forest Adventure Farm, alongside their newborn kid goats, for interesting and engaging sessions on one of the busiest times of the farming calendar.
Each Spring season, millions of animals are born to UK farms, and as such, there is a lot of work to be done. However, there has been a decline in the number of those wishing to work in farming. By presenting the kid goats to youngsters in these fun sessions and showing them a hands-on approach to traditional skills, Tom and Ivor hope to inspire the next generation of farmers.
The stars of each session were three kid goats, who were born at the Adventure Farm just three weeks prior. Children had the opportunity to see the baby goats up close, ask questions, learn about animal care, and meet the team behind their 24-hour care.
Joanne Cutbush, headteacher at Outwoods Primary School in Harehedge Lane, Burton, one of five schools taking part, said: “It isn’t very often that we can make learning on farming so immersive in a school environment and I am sure it is something that the children will remember for a very long time. Experiences like this are not only fun and engaging but help children to see things in a different way and are really important in inspiring young minds. Being based in a town, there will be many children who won’t have had the chance to experience something like this before, so it is great to offer such a different experience here on the school grounds.”
The Adventure Farm is now home to hundreds of new arrivals, and with the annual Lambing Live event that is currently taking place, families get a behind-the-scenes look as they are born. So far, more than 200 lambs have been born, as well as kid goats, piglets, and calves, while over 200 lambs are expected during the Easter holidays.
Farmer Ivor said: “Since we started the National Forest Adventure Farm, our mission has always been to bring access to fun, family outdoor spaces. We are passionate about inspiring the next generation to see the benefits of rural life as well as highlighting traditional skills here in the UK. It was great to see the young children’s faces light up as we walked in with the kid goats and to be able to answer all their questions. You never know we might just have met a future farmer.”
Six-year-old Harriet Marshall-Gee, who got to feed the goats, said: “It was so much fun; the goats are so funny. I have seen lambs but have not fed a goat before, so it was nice having them here at school. I really enjoyed it.”
The Robinson family have been farming in the area since the 1970s, and in 2004, they diversified a small section of the farmland to create a maize maze. In 2011, the farm outbuildings and barns were transformed into an additional 40-acre family farm park with indoor soft play and Farmhouse Kitchen restaurant. Now a popular family attraction for both locals and tourists alike, the Adventure Farm draws in 175,000 visitors each year, with this supplemented by fun events such as Summer parties, Easter egg trails, Halloween pumpkin patches, and Christmas experiences.
This year’s Easter event launches on Monday 30th March and will feature a sheep shearing show and Lambing Live tent with hundreds of lambs due to be born during the event, in addition to opportunities to meet new chicks, kid goats, calves, and piglets.