The highly anticipated Focus on Farming school conference, bringing 120 secondary students closer to the heart of British farming and sustainable food production, was organised by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) yesterday.

The event, kindly hosted by Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, was a dynamic and interactive learning experience, designed to deepen students' understanding of where their food comes from. Students participated in hands-on activities and discussions with farmers and industry professionals, exploring topics ranging from animal husbandry to arable farming, biodiversity, and the latest agricultural technologies. A dedicated market hall featured a careers and producers hub, offering students valuable insights into industry opportunities and the future of farming, with a focus on sustainable food production.

Elsa Healey, AHDB Senior Education Manager, said: "It's vital for young people to see firsthand the incredible work happening on farms across the UK – producing food in a sustainable way while looking after the environment. The enthusiasm from both the students and our farming professionals shows the immense value in connecting future generations with the agriculture industry. We'd like to express our sincere thanks to our partners at LEAF, hosts Ragley Hall, and all the industry professionals who contributed to making this event such a success."

Carl Edwards, Director of Education and Public Engagement at LEAF, said: "Putting sustainability at the heart of teaching and learning is crucial to help young people understand and value the agri-food industry and all it delivers. AHDB and LEAF are continuing to lead the way in providing rich and diverse opportunities for students to talk directly to professionals in our industry, to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of how the agri-food sector is transitioning to more resilient food and farming systems. These experiential learning experiences are also critical in helping inform future generations about more climate positive choices.  

The 9th Marquess of Hertford, Ragley Hall, said: "I am delighted that Ragley was able to support LEAF and AHDB in hosting this Focus on Farming event. The future of farming and the environment is something that is extremely important to me, and this gives the estate a chance to support young people with an emerging interest in the countryside. We are the custodians of the land, and it's exciting to play a part in supporting the next generation of rural entrepreneurs."

The Focus on Farming event reinforced AHDB's commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of farmers, food producers, and agrifood professionals, aiming to secure the future of UK agriculture while fostering a greater understanding of the essential role farming plays in putting food on our plates. Building on this success, two further Focus on Farming events will take place later in the school year in Yorkshire and Wiltshire.

Find out more about AHDB's commitment to education at ahdb.org.uk/education.