Today I hosted a visit for the Class 1 children from Ebrington (St James and Ebrington Church of England Primary School), it was an absolute pleasure to welcome the children and staff on to the farm. We had such a lovely day. After the health and safety talk we went for a walk along the tramlines of the wheat field. As the children walked along they let their hands run through the wheat ears which felt sticky and softer than they expected. Once we reached the far hedge we discussed evidence of badgers on the farm, later we saw the badger latrine and could see the seeds in the poo!

The children were very enthusiastic in the pond dipping session and found lots of baby newts, dragon fly nymphs and water boatmen. Although there weren’t many dragon flies whizzing through the air, there were plenty of butterflies for us to spot. 

At lunch time, the majority of the children decided to sit on my picnic logs amongst the daisies, which was very pleasant and relaxing. After lunch the children really enjoyed the mud in the playwood! 

Splash was a lovely topic to do with the reception children from Gretton Primary School. After the health and safety talk the children made boats from recycled fruit punnets, straws and yoghurt pots. After snack the children proudly carried their creations to the pond. The wind was quite strong today and I was a little worried that the sails on the boats wouldn’t survive the journey. 

Once at the pond the boats were launched. Luckily the boats didn’t tip in the wind. Unfortunately this dry weather has left the ponds water level very low and the plant life extensive and so the boats didn’t sail far. The children were happy watching their boats move in the breeze and relieved that I could easily get their boats out after pond dipping. I did forget my wellies and so my feet had mud treatment today as I fished out the boats. 

The pond dipping was very successful with lots and lots of newts and water boatmen found. After lunch the children really enjoyed the free play in the woodland. 

All of the reception children from Winchcombe Abbey Church of England Primary School came out to the farm today. Although we kept dry, the children did leave muddy and wind swept. I am pleased to say the visitor room was large enough for 41 children to sit comfortably for the health and safety talk and for lunch. 

The activities today were altered to fit in with concerns of wet weather! In the morning the children were split into three groups and rotated around the activities during the morning. One activity was bug hunting in the play wood, one boy was particularly proud that he had found a slug. The second activity took place in the visitor room and involved the children making take home paper worms and flying insects. I was in the cattle shed for the third activity. I showed the children an owl box and the bones found in a couple of owl pellets. The children were surprised how small the bones were. I then read them the story of the little red hen, which lead on to marking out a mini wheat field and thinking about how much bread is made in one metre squared. I explained to the children that aphids can be found in wheat crops and other minibeasts live in the field margins which help to reduce the aphid numbers. In the same square we also thought about ‘super worms’ and why farmers love worms. 

After lunch the children discovered the mud and had a great time in the play wood. 

The lovely reception class children from Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Alcester, visited the farm today. After the health and safety talk, I read the story of the ‘Little Red Hen’. The children then looked at wheat seeds, wheat plants, flour, a combine harvester and had a go at milling some wheat seeds. At first on the farm walk, we visited the Spring calves, avoiding the cow pats, we looked at what the calves were eating. The children learnt that just like them, it is important that calves eat lots of vitamins to help them grow strong. We then walked along the tram lines of the wheat field and saw that most of the wheat has pointy leaves, except the ones nibbled by rabbits.

Having spent a cold January day on the farm, it was lovely to welcome back some of the Year Ones from Cropthorne-With-Charlton school to see the farm in the sunshine. The topic of the day was life cycles. The children learnt the name of a dad cow, mum cow and baby cow. Whilst on the farm walk we saw this years spring born calves. We also discussed some creatures born on the farm which don’t look like their parents.