²ÝÁñÉçÇø

Helen Rebanks becomes ambassador for rural education petition

Helen Rebanks, best-selling author of The Farmer's Wife, is passionate about education and joined ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's joint petition to get farming into schools

clock • 1 min read
Helen Rebanks
Image:

Helen Rebanks

The petition, founded by sheep farmer and former teacher Olivia Shave, aims to put food and farming at the heart of education. 

With nearly 9,000 signatures, to be considered in Parliament the petition needs 10,000 signatures by May.

Helen Rebanks, Lake District hill farmer and best-selling author of The Farmer's Wife, is now an ambassador of the campaign, and says there is a lack of understanding about where food comes from. 

She says: " There is still a massive gap between producer and consumer in terms of understanding food and farming in the UK.

Farming in schools

"Getting children out of classrooms and onto farms is essential in helping them learn where real food comes from and what it takes to grow it.

"We have been hosting school visits on our farm for more than ten years - it is exhausting but incredibly rewarding work.

"Every child in the country should have an understanding of the different kinds of farming that we all rely on for our three meals a day. And helping teachers and parents to learn more about land use and food systems is key too, because when people know where and how their food is grown they can make informed choices about what they eat, and better support our children's learning."

Other ambassadors include Scottish shepherdess Emma Gray, and Irish farmer Becky Cole.

Visit the for more information

 

WATER ABSTRACTION LICENCES FOR SALE

£±Ê°¿´¡

BNG National Habitat Bank Creation & Unit

£±Ê°¿´¡

Lantra Strong Skills, Safer Farms

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and Careers

Cereals 2025: Young farmers to take centre stage at landmark agricultural event

Cereals 2025: Young farmers to take centre stage at landmark agricultural event

Cereals has partnered with the National Federation of Young ²ÝÁñÉçÇø' Clubs to put together a special programme to guide the next generation of farmers

clock 09 June 2025 • 6 min read
Careers special: Estate offers farmers opportunities, proving 'land does not need to be a barrier'

Careers special: Estate offers farmers opportunities, proving 'land does not need to be a barrier'

A group of farmers is inviting land-based businesses and start-ups onto their farms through an annual callout to pitch their ideas and grow together

clock 04 May 2025 • 4 min read
Careers special: Butchery can offer an unexpected yet creative career path

Careers special: Butchery can offer an unexpected yet creative career path

The butchery sector has a lot of to offer, as one Quality Meat Scotland apprentice has found

clock 03 May 2025 • 3 min read