How to deliver quality visits to your farm - Handbook and guidance

How to deliver quality visits to your farm - Handbook and guidance

Produced by LEAF Education on behalf of the Access To Farms Partnership

leafuk.org/education

@LEAF_Education

Foreword Highlighting what farmers do on a daily basis is key for us to inspire a future generation and the wider public regarding food, farming and the environment. LEAF through LEAF Education looks to support you to better engage and communicate with young people and the wider public through high-quality visits translating your industry, your expertise, your passion into something that will make a positive longlasting impact on those who you welcome to your farm.

We wish you every success in hosting groups on your farm, whether these be school groups or wider interest groups. Enjoy the day; be confident in showcasing the very best that you have to offer. You never know how big an impact you might have on a young person’s future or indeed the positive impact that they might have on yours!

Carl Edwards Director, Education and Public Engagement, LEAF

Contents Hosting farm visits How do I make links to the school curriculum?

Planning your visit Is my farm safe for visits?

How can I minimise the chance of injury?

The importance of hand washing Who can help?

LEAF Regional Education Consultants During a visit Activities – primary school visits Activities – secondary school visits Activities – all ages Marvellous mini-fields – what can you find in a square metre?

After a visit Are you ready for more?

Sources of information Appendix 1 Curriculum links for farmers Appendix 2 Introductory letter/email template for a school or visiting group Appendix 3 Pre-visit checklist Appendix 4 Farm visit evaluations Appendix 5 Follow-up letter/email template Appendix 6 Sample risk assessment Appendix 7 Photograph/video release form

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Every effort has been made by LEAF to ensure the accuracy of the content and information provided in this handbook at the date of publication, no representation is made as to its correctness or completeness. LEAF does not accept liability arising from any inaccuracies, be they errors or omissions, contained within this handbook. Further information can be sought via LEAF on 024 7641 3911.

This handbook is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.

Hosting farm visits Hosting good quality visits to your farm is a wonderful way of allowing more people to experience the countryside first hand and learn directly from farmers how food is produced.

Such visits give people the opportunity to understand and learn the vital role farms play in producing food in an ever changing industry.

About the visits There is no set format for a farm visit. What you plan for the day will depend on a number of factors: • • •

What do you have on your farm that will be of interest to visitors?

What does the visit organiser want to get out of the visit?

What interests do the group have?

The answers to these questions, and many more you might have, will ideally be the result of a discussion with the teacher or visit organiser. It is essential to encourage the teacher or visit organiser to attend a pre-visit so that s/he understands what happens on your farm. You can also learn how the visit fits in with what is going on back at school or with the specific interests of the group.

In terms of school visits, most visits will need to fit in with the school curriculum. But it’s the teacher’s role to ensure this happens. It does help if you have a general idea of the school curriculum (see Appendix 1).

Occasionally, a school will offer the farm visit as a “reward” to their young people and this might present different opportunities. Groups other than schools are often more flexible in what they want to get out of a visit.

Unless you are offering the visit as part of an agrienvironment scheme, you are entitled to charge the visiting group. Remember, if your farm is not within easy walking distance from the school or group meeting venue, the visit organiser will have to arrange transport to and from the farm. This will increase the overall cost of the visit.

This handbook is designed to help you plan a successful visit. The sections cover all aspects you need to consider. We hope you enjoy planning and delivering your farm visit. Remember we are here to help!

We have some great case studies of farmers who host school visits. Find them at https://leafuk.org/education/farm-visits

Talking to the teacher or visit organiser in advance will allow you to feel confident about what is going to happen, meaning all visitors have the best possible experience on the day. If the visit goes well, it is likely that the group will want to come again or that the visit organiser will recommend your farm to others.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

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How do I make the visit relevant to the group?

If you are planning a visit for a school, the teacher would normally want the visit to link to the curriculum, but don’t worry, you don’t need to be a curriculum expert. This is the teacher’s job.

So, have a good conversation with the lead teacher and decide what can be covered. It’s worth having an idea of the broad subjects that could be covered as some teachers may not realise the range and scope of opportunities at the farm. See the box on the right.

Broad subject areas which can be covered during a visit • Science on the farm • Technology, robotics

The curriculum links section of this handbook can help you with this. Some farms have found it useful to put a “menu” of 3 or 4 activities together as a starting point and teachers pick the ones they would like included in their visit. This works particularly well for primary schools. Secondary schools and above will probably want something much more bespoke, so the conversation with the teacher is very important. The teacher may be able to provide you with a copy of the curriculum plan for the unit of work the young people are covering.

• Farm as a business

If you are still unsure if this is for you, why not offer to help someone who has run visits before? This would provide you with a good insight and they will probably be glad of the extra pair of hands. You can also chat through your ideas with the LEAF Regional Consultant for your area.

• Geography – orienteering and maps

• Farm habitats, environments, biodiversity • Use of maths on farm • Debates, speeches and discussions • Health and wellbeing • Teamwork • Art and design • Local history

See Appendix 1 for Curriculum links for farmers

If you are planning a visit for a group other than a school, it is still important to make the visit relevant to the group’s interests. Again, have a conversation with the visit organiser and highlight the vast range of activities and topics that can be covered. Find out what the group is doing and consider links. There is often more flexibility with these types of visit. You could show the visit organiser the things you offer to schools, as this may provide a starting point. Activities can then be adapted to suit the group.

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Planning your visit Hosting visits can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. But, for everything to run smoothly and safely, it is sensible to think about what you can offer and plan each individual visit thoroughly. This handbook will guide you through the planning process.

It is important to think about visits in terms of quality and not quantity. One or two brilliantly run visits will have so much more lasting impact than numerous ones that have been put together at the last minute. With good planning and preparation you may find that this is something you enjoy and would like to do on a regular basis.

If a group has one great experience they will return year after year. So, a well-run, safe, relevant visit with lots of fun added in is a must!

Once you have decided you would like to offer visits it is worth thinking about the following points:

Marketing This can be the tricky bit in relation to schools as they plan their curriculum and their visits well in advance. Schools tend to stick with visit locations they know and trust, so asking them to come to a new venue can take some persuading on your part.

A well written letter or email to the school’s Education Visits Co-ordinator is a good place to start. Keep the letter short and to the point. You may like to adapt the template letter included in this handbook. See Appendix 2 A good way of getting a “foot in the door” is through family or friends who work in or have links to schools. Otherwise, make a list of the schools within easy travelling distance of your farm. You can search for schools on the OFSTED website, www.compare-schoolperformance.service.gov.uk/ Sometimes it is worth having a look at the school website as this often details any projects or themes that the young people are working on. This is particularly useful with primary schools. You may find some working on ‘food’ or ‘the outdoors’.

It is always worth following your initial email or letter with a phone call. Try and call during school lunchtime or find out when the teacher you would like to speak to is on PPA (Planning, Preparation and Assessment) time.

In terms of marketing to other groups, it is a case of finding out what groups exist in your local area.

Again, ask family and friends or a local library may be a good place to find information. Think about the groups you would like to offer visits to: brownies, scouts, guides, local history groups or wildlife groups.

Facilities Many farmers think they need lots of facilities to host visits. This is not the case, but there are some things that need to be considered: • Car park – Identify an area to park either cars, coach or minibus.

• Vehicular access – Think about clear vehicular access to the farm. Most farms have this but do warn the visit organiser, who can then warn the coach company, if there are any particularly narrow gates etc. If necessary, visitors can be dropped off very close to the farm entrance and then walk up the drive - as long as it is safe to do so.

• Hand washing facilities – Ensure that there are enough hand washing facilities at appropriate points on the farm. Please read the Industry Code of Practice: www.visitmyfarm.org/component/k2/339industry-code-of-practice to ensure these are of the correct type and in the correct locations. If you do not have hand washing facilities on the farm, hand wash stations can be hired in.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

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• Toilet facilities – Make sure that you have enough toilets to cater for the group so as to avoid long queues.

You may consider staggering “toilet breaks” so that visitors aren’t waiting too long. Again, mobile toilet blocks can be hired in.

• Washing footwear – Do you have facilities to wash footwear at the end of the visit? A hose and brushes are sufficient.

• Lunchtime - If the group is staying on the farm over lunchtime, a clean, undercover area should be provided. Some form of seating is advisable, particularly for adult visitors. If it is a nice day, the group may decide to eat outside, but check that livestock have not grazed on the area provided within at least the last three weeks.

• Storing packed lunch boxes – Do you have somewhere dry and clean to store packed lunch boxes, preferably, where the farm cat or dog can’t help themselves?

Please remember there is no need for brand new education rooms or modern facilities. But it is essential that the farm is clean, tidy and safe for visitors.

Staffing / helpers Have a think about who can help you. It is always useful to have extra help in case you need something. With larger groups it is always easier to split the whole group down into smaller groups and rotate round activities. Make sure whoever helps is happy to work with pupils or visitors and they have been fully briefed on safety, activities, needs of group etc. As part of good practice, it is worth thinking about undertaking a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) for those who help with any school visits. However, it is not essential, as long as you are not being left in sole charge of young people or vulnerable adults. For more information visit the DBS web site www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ disclosure-and-barring-service

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Transport It is the group’s responsibility to organise their own transport to the farm. Larger groups may come by coach, but others may come by minibus or car.

Depending on location, others may come by public transport, or if feasible, they may walk.

Photographs If you take any photographs of young people you must have permission to do so. A school will have its own photography policy and you should discuss this with the teacher in advance of the visit. An example of the Photograph/Video Release Form is at Appendix 7.

Pre-visit A pre-visit is a visit made by the teacher or visit organiser in advance of the visit. Even though the pre- visit takes up time for both parties, it is time well spent. Most farms insist on the teacher or visit organiser coming on a pre-visit. The pre-visit is an opportunity for both sides to discuss in detail what will happen on the day. To help you, there is a previsit check list in Appendix 3, but the following items should be included in any pre-visit meeting: • Supervision – Farm staff will lead activities but it must be noted that the behaviour and supervision of the group is the responsibility of the teachers or visit organisers.

• Discuss risk assessment – Go through the risk assessment with the teacher and visit organiser and give them a copy. Ensure the teacher and visit organiser are happy with the control measures put in place and they are aware of any responsibilities placed on them.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

• Hand washing – Ensure the teacher and visit organiser are clear as to the need for hand washing and how it should be carried out correctly.

This is something the teacher or visit organiser may like to discuss with their group before the visit. Make it clear that it is expected that visit organisers and school ccstaff will need to closely supervise any young people whilst they are washing their hands to ensure it is done thoroughly. You may also like to give the teacher or visit organiser a copy of the Industry Code of Practice, Advice to Teachers and Others Supplement for them to take away and read: www.visitmyfarm.org/component/k2/339industry-code-of-practice

• Appropriate footwear and clothing – Make it clear that all visitors including pupils need to wear clothing appropriate for the forecasted weather and should bring a change of footwear suitable for the farm. It is always worth having some spare child-sized clothes and Wellington boots in case some young people need to borrow them.

• Check numbers and ages – Double check how many pupils / visitors, staff and helpers are coming and the ages of the young people.

• Allergies and other needs – Ask the teacher or visit organiser if any of the group members have any allergies or other needs. It is useful to know about these beforehand so that you can make any adaptations to the activities, farm or programme.

•

Photographs – Ask if it is possible to take photographs of the group. At this point it is useful to give the teacher or visit organiser (if young people are coming to the farm) the Photograph/ Video Release Form at Appendix 7.

It may be that some young people in the group cannot be part of any photographs. Sometimes, school staff will take the photographs and email on to you the ones that you can use.

•

Roles and responsibilities – Ask the teacher or visit organiser to ensure all relevant information including risk assessments and hand washing protocol is discussed and understood by all the other adults accompanying the group. All accompanying adults must be clear on their roles and responsibilities.

• Transport – Discuss how the group is travelling to the farm and where they should park. Agree a meeting point and time. It is useful to know if the coach will be staying on site for the day or coming back to collect the group. If staying on site, discuss with the teacher or visit organiser where the coach can park.

• Programme and activities - Confirm arrival and departure time as well as the programme for the day. Check lunch break, toilet breaks and hand washing times are at appropriate times.

Discuss activities in detail and where they will take place. For school visits ensure you are familiar with the aspects of the curriculum the teacher would like included in the activities.

• Plan B - In case of poor weather there should be a “Plan B”. Think about how the activities can be adapted so that the visit can still go ahead.

•

First aid provision – This is the responsibility of the teachers or visit organisers. If the group is being split into smaller groups, ensure the accompanying adults are aware of this so that there are enough first aid trained staff for each group.

•

Mobile phone number – if you are happy to do so, you may want to exchange mobile phone numbers. This can be very useful if there are any delays on the day of the visit.

As well as discussing the above points, you should also show the teacher and visit organiser exactly where they will be going whilst on the farm. This allows them to become familiar with the site ahead of the visit.

At the end of the pre-visit it is suggested that both parties sign and date the pre-visit form and each has a copy.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

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Is my farm safe for visiting groups?

Health and safety is important for all farm visits. Before each visit you must assess what risks there may be to your visitors and take appropriate action – this protects you and your visitors and is often common sense.

Carrying out a risk assessment

Insurance – inform your insurer what you are doing before any visit.

You must complete a risk assessment before any visit takes place. LEAF has developed a sample risk assessment – see Appendix 6 which you may like to refer to. But you and the teacher or visit organiser must work together to produce an individual risk assessment for each visit.

You know about the risks associated with your farm and each teacher or visit organiser knows about the risks associated with their particular group. As the host farmer you should be reviewing hazards on an on-going basis and employing risk assessment techniques as good business practice. A friend or neighbour can help, as hazards are more likely to be spotted by a fresh pair of eyes - especially if you do not regularly open to visitors.

Terminology A hazard is anything that may cause harm (for example a slurry lagoon).

Risk is the likelihood that somebody will be harmed by the hazard (the risk of slipping on some slurry).

Is the chance of risk high or low and how serious would it be if this happened?

Risk control measures are precautions to make an incident less likely to occur and/or the results less severe (e.g. put up a barrier to prevent access to the slurry lagoon).

Risk assessment involves five steps: 1. Identify the hazards 2. Consider how people might be harmed 3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing risk control measures are adequate or whether more should be done 4. Record your findings and implement them 5. Review your assessment and update for each visit.

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Check the level of insurance you have is sufficient for school visits. The level of cover required by schools can vary from one school to another so check with them.

In brief Decide what can cause injury or ill health on your farm and do something about it. Risk assessment is an ongoing process.

Pre -visit for group leaders As previously mentioned, a pre-visit is essential to plan a safe and enjoyable visit to your farm. This is the time for the teacher and visit orgsniser to walk with you around the tour route and check that the visit will be suitable and safe for their group.

The process Identify the hazards: • • • • •

What hazards are the visitors likely to face?

What kinds of behaviour will increase the risk?

Which hazards pose a significant risk if they are not managed?

How can these risks be controlled?

Might these measures create other hazards?

Assess the risk: • • • •

How serious is the risk? (i.e. the potential injury or consequence.)

What might increase the severity of injury? (e.g. running, the age of the person.)

Who and how many are exposed to the risk?

How likely is it to occur? (Previous accidents/incidents and the frequency of exposure to the hazard.)

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Controlling the risk: •

• •

Can the risk be avoided or minimised? Is the activity necessary? Are warnings provided – written, verbal?

Can the hazard be eliminated, avoided or substituted?

Can safer work/study/activity be adopted? (e.g. by establishing a procedure or set of rules; providing better information)

• •

Is the use of personal protective equipment indicated where risk remains?

Many on-farm accidents happen due to contact with vehicles of all kinds. Moving vehicles and pedestrians must therefore be segregated.

Safeguarding As the host you have a responsibility to ensure people are safe, particularly children and vulnerable young adults. You must also ensure that all activities are conducted in a safe manner without risk to the health of participants. Ensure that your farm staff/helpers are never left alone with a child or young person. If a child is lost and temporarily in the care of your staff, no food or drink, except plain water should be given to children/vulnerable adults in case of allergies.

In communications with the school or visit organiser, (if the visiting group involves children) advise them that they are responsible for the children in their care and that children must be supervised at all times. Because children will not be left alone with farm staff/helpers, they do not need to have DBS checks. However, some schools might still require this, in which case you will need to take the lead from the school. We also recommend that you ask the school for a copy of their safeguarding policy for school visits.

How can I minimise the chance of injury?

A farm can be a hazardous environment, but there are some fairly simple steps you can take to minimise the chances of injury. Use a map of your farm to plan a route avoiding hazards.

Inform groups on arrival or give them a map showing the route of the farm tour indicating potential hazards.

Plan the route – decide which parts of the farm groups will be able to access. Avoid cluttered areas, very uneven ground and other hazards.

Keep groups away from moving vehicles.

Signage and supervision – are necessary in areas where you have identified a potential hazard and when there is a need to keep groups to your planned route. Clearly mark areas not intended for public access. Brief helpers well before the visit starts - ensure they know the risks and control measures and what to do in case of an emergency.

Hazardous areas – these must be identified, and precautions taken to stop groups entering them.

Spray stores, veterinary medicine stores, workshops, slurry pits should be locked up/ cordoned off and groups kept well away. Assess the hazards posed by a grain store – deep bins, whether full or empty, are no-go areas.

Crushing hazards – heavy items stored in the yard could fall over and crush a visitor, especially if they could be climbed on, e.g. hay bales and gates.

Either remove the hazard or make safe by lying them flat or tying them securely.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

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Machinery and demonstrations – clearly mark out demonstration areas ensuring groups are kept well away from moving machinery. Procedures using hazardous substances should not take place during the visit. You can let children sit on a tractor, but static machinery should be supervised. Watch for spikes, sharp edges on combines and cultivation equipment, and consider if they need to be removed or cordoned off.

First aid – this is the responsibility of the group leader and enough first aiders should accompany each group. It would be good practice for someone on the farm to be first aid trained but in the first instance the visiting group should provide first aid.

For a school or group visit of small numbers there is no need to have a first aid provider present such as St John Ambulance.

Tractor and trailer rides – a trailer must have: •

independent brakes

•

secure rails with sides filled in e.g. with weld mesh, plus a kick board

•

fixed seating (bales will do if strapped securely to the trailer bed)

Key potential hazards •

Static machinery should be supervised or locked - do not leave keys in vehicles.

•

Ladders should be put away; fixed ladders should be boarded up.

•

Watch out for tripping hazards – uneven concrete, areas slippery when wet.

•

Spray sheds, workshops and slurry pits are strict no-go areas.

•

Pond/open water – put up signs and either keep groups away or supervise the area.

•

Fuel tanks should be securely locked.

•

Risk of infection from livestock.

The tractor and trailer must be in good working order and be securely coupled together. The driver should be mature and competent, having undergone adequate training. Never allow anyone from the visiting group to travel in the cab, stand on the tow bar or sit on the railings. Read the HSE guidance Carrying passengers on farm trailers (AIS 36rev1): www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais36.pdf.

The requirements for road use of trailers carrying passengers are much more onerous and further advice should be obtained.

Livestock – mature, grazing male animals and females with young, are likely to be the most temperamental and cause problems. Interaction with docile animals is safer.

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

The importance of hand washing You must take precautions to prevent groups becoming ill through diseases such as E. coli O157 and Cryptosporidiosis. Hand washing facilities, signage and supervision are essential.

All animals naturally carry a range of microorganisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans and may cause ill health. It should be assumed that all livestock carry these microorganisms (whether the animals are healthy or sick). Wild animals can also carry zoonoses, such as Weil’s disease.

Hand washing facilities

People can become infected through consuming contaminated food or drink, direct contact with contaminated animals, or by contact with an environment contaminated with animal faeces.

• •

Implementing the right control measures will help ensure the risk of infection from contact with animals is low.

The Industry Code of Practice: ‘Preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact on school visits’ can be applied to any farm visit. It provides sensible, practical and proportionate guidance to help you comply with the law and keep groups safe.

You are strongly advised to read the Industry Code of Practice. Download the latest version at: www.visitmyfarm.org/component/k2/content/2healthandsafety



If your visiting groups come into contact with farm animals or environments contaminated with animal faeces, you MUST provide clean hand washing facilities. You need to provide: •

Clean warm running water - (NOT bowls/buckets/troughs of still water) Liquid soap (NOT hard soap) Paper towels (NOT towelling hand towels).

Anti-bacterial gels and wet wipes are NO substitute for hand washing and must not be used. Don’t forget to have low sinks accessible for children.

✓ ✓ ✓

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

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Planning animal contact areas Enclosures – set up temporary enclosures for livestock using plenty of fresh, clean bedding. Do not overcrowd animals. Put kick boards up to stop animal bedding protruding onto areas where groups may stand.

Supervision – Ensure that you have enough helpers to supervise the visitors during animal contact. Do NOT allow anyone to kiss animals, or animals to lick visitors! Do NOT allow smoking or eating in animal contact areas.

Choose healthy, placid animals to meet the visitors.

Signage – Signs need to be clear and visible for all visitors. Social Farms and Gardens has produced a Clean Hands Zone Toolkit for you to download and display, available at www.farmgarden.org.uk/resources/clean-handszone-toolkit

If visitors are to hold chicks etc. then a semi-circle of bales, to sit on, makes group management easier.

General layout – Ensure livestock and animal contact areas are not adjacent to designated eating areas. Hand washing facilities need to be as close to livestock enclosures as possible. Barriers to mark routes are not essential if groups are always guided. Remind groups to wash hands, boots, shoes etc. before they leave – a simple disinfectant mat that they have to walk over is often recommended.

Who can help?

You and your helpers will need lots of enthusiasm. Think about everyone’s strengths, (organisational skills, communication skills) and allow helpers to do what they are good at.

Someone will be great at getting the farm clean and tidy but may not be comfortable working with young people.

Who can you ask to help? Do you have any friends or relatives who are willing to help? How long should your visit last? Visits could be just half a day (morning or afternoon) or they could be all day (10am – 2pm). Some groups, (other than schools) may prefer to come in an evening. How many visits can you do well? How many young people can you have on your farm and actively engage them for the day?

Sometimes schools may want to bring large groups (possibly up to 60 pupils).

If you feel this is too many, you can say no. Ask if the groups could be made smaller or if they could come over two days.

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LEAF Regional Education Consultants offer: •

• • • •

• •

•

Regional knowledge and expertise about what is currently available in your area with regards to food, farming and countryside education Access to a wide regional network of teachers and farmers Large portfolio of tried-and-tested learning content and farm activities Detailed knowledge of the education system, the curriculum and teacher training / CPD Development of training opportunities to increase confidence to teach about issues of food, farming and the natural environment Access to trusted experts to enhance learning Tailored and independent advice to help build activities and programmes that best suit the school, enrich the curriculum and promote wider pupil development Quality, balanced and curriculum-relevant teaching and planning materials.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

LEAF Regional Education Consultants LEAF Education has a team of part-time regional education consultants throughout England and Wales. All our consultants have a background in education.

Region

Counties

Name

Contact

North West

Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Isle of Man

Katy Pallas

07743 028289 Katy.Pallas@leafuk.org

North East

Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire

Sam Wyman

0771 881 8603 Sam.Wyman@leafuk.org

West Midlands

Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire

Brian Hainsworth

0776 208 3452 Brian.Hainsworth@leafuk.org

East Midlands

Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland

Bobbie Harvey

01433 631983; 0777 9409 926 Bobbie.Harvey@leafuk.org

Central

Warwickshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire

Elizabeth Lake

0777 9017 635 Elizabeth.Lake@leafuk.org

East of England

Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire

Gaina Dunsire

07805 580059 Gaina.Dunsire@leafuk.org

South West

Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire

Debbie Hicks

01749 813 792; 07599 851064 Debbie.Hicks@leafuk.org

South East

Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Kent

Joanne Lord-Hatton

07973 301962 Jo.Hatton@leafuk.org

Wales

All of Wales

Bethan Simons

07967 7726880 Bethan.Simons@leafuk.org

How to deliver quality visits to your farm ď‚&#x; Handbook and Guidance Š LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

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During a visit You and your helpers will have spent a lot of time preparing and planning for a visit. Time spent in the planning stages really does help a visit run as smoothly as possible.

Having said this, there are a few things to remember to do on the day of the visit.

• Before the group arrives check the areas that the group will be using on your farm. Check they are safe, clean and tidy.

• Take time to review your risk assessment. Have you covered everything on it? Has anything been forgotten?

Has anything changed?

Risk assessments can be dynamic and things often have to be adapted on the day.

• Make sure all the equipment and resources you need are ready and in place. It is often useful to have a charged mobile phone with each person conducting the visit so that you can keep in touch in case of emergencies or slight alterations to the programme. It also means the group can contact you if they are running late.

• Once the site and helpers are ready, it is always good practice to meet the coach / group when they arrive. A friendly face on arrival creates a good impression from the start.

• Once all the visitors are off the coach and waiting in a safe area, introduce yourself, your helpers and welcome them to your farm. It is a good idea to run through the purpose of the day, the programme of activities and remind everyone about health and safety points. Aim to make the health and safety reminders positive. Try and avoid a list of Don’ts! Questioning the visitors about how they think they can keep themselves safe on the farm helps to keep them engaged and thinking for themselves. Reiterate the need for correct, supervised hand washing and explain why fingers should not be put in mouths and food and drink not consumed on the farm. It’s a good idea whilst everyone is together to run through how hands should be washed correctly.

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• Try and remember to ask someone to take photographs. In the case of school groups, discuss with the lead teacher who can and cannot be in photographs and check the permission form has been signed, (this should have been covered in the pre-visit).

By this point you should be ready to start.

Remember to have FUN, keep safe and stick to your plan (but a little flexibility is sometimes needed if something amazing is happening on the farm, such as the birth of an animal). If you want to change things slightly that’s fine, just check the teacher or visit organiser is happy for this to happen.

Try your best to stick to time. When the visitors are engaged and having fun, time can pass very quickly.

With experience this becomes easier and you will learn what to miss out and what to keep in your visit. Always allow more time than you think for hand washing and toilet breaks. Hand washing should not be rushed as it is vital that it is done properly.

Double check with the lead teacher or visit organiser what time they need to leave the farm. If using a coach, it is important everyone is ready with hands washed and all their belongings with them. Coach drivers often have other bookings after the school visit so they need to be leaving on time.

Allow enough time for the lead teacher or visit organiser to complete the evaluation form. See Appendix 4. It is always best to ask them to do this before they leave.

In the case of school visits you may also consider putting a “Resource Bag” together for the teacher.

This could have helpful resources the teacher could use in the classroom to follow up on things done on the visit. The bag could include things such as grain samples, clean sheep’s wool, hay samples.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Activities – visits from primary schools or groups with young children Paper pots This is a great little activity that allows young people to make a paper seed pot and plant some seeds. During the activity you can talk about how to care for seeds so they grow into healthy plants.

You can also talk about the parts of a plant (leaf, root, stem, flower) and the purpose of these parts.

You will need: • • • •

1.

2.

3.

4.

8cm wide strips of newspaper Compost Seeds appropriate to current season Something to mould / wrap newspaper round to make the pot (old yoghurt pot, plastic drinks bottle or wooden potter) • Sticky label with farm name on • Pencils to write pupil’s name on label • Box to put all the pots in so they can be safely transported back to school or home.

Wrap the 8 cm wide strip of old newspaper around the base of your mould.

Leave about 3 cm at the bottom to fold over and make the base.

Stick the label with pupil name written on over the spare end of newspaper to secure the pot.

Fill with compost.

Plant the seeds.

Animal estate agents This activity encourages children to think about the range of habitats on a farm. The young people take on the role of Estate Agents and they are given a laminated card with the details of an animal on.

The card may have a picture of the animal but it should contain information about the “home” or habitat the animal is looking for. The young people should then in pairs or with the help of an adult search for the best “home” for the animal.

When they have found the right location, they can put a “Home for Sale” board in the area to remind them. As a class, the young people should show each other the location they have chosen for their animal and explain why it is a good home. When running this activity keep the group in a defined area where adults can see them at all times.

Life cycles Children only visit your farm on one day; this activity helps them to imagine what happens the rest of the year and gives their visit context.

Collect photographs of your farm through the year.

Give a photo to each child or small group, depending on how many you have and ask them to arrange themselves in seasonal order in a circle.

For example, a year in the life of a sheep/cow, or a year in a wheat field.

Where does it grow?

Using a selection of vegetables, ask the children to shout out/do some actions to show where each one grows. “Underground, on a stem, on a bush, on a tree etc…”

A variation is to ask if the vegetable is a root, stem, leaf, or seed.

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The combine harvester drama For a class/group of 35: 5 children are the reel – 1st row, make rolling motions with arms to show crop being gathered 5 children are the cutter bar – 2nd row, crouch down and make cutting motion with hands 5 children are the elevator – 3rd row, turn round and round to show crop being lifted 5 children are the threshing drum – 4th row whizz arms round and round to show threshing 5 children are the fan – 5th row – make blowing noises 5 children are the shoot – 6th row – show grain shooting out of combine 5 children are the engine – 7th row - make really loud engine noises.

Once the children can make a working combine they can try moving whilst working!

Fun with Maths 1.

How different?

• Choose a number of different places around you, for example, sections of different hedges, parts of a field or a pathway.

• For each one, pace out three metres in a straight line.

• Starting at one end, make a count of the number of different plants that you find along the line.

• Compare the number of plants you have found in each of the different places.

• Why do you think there may be more plants growing in one place than another?

2.

How old is that tree?

• Decide on a way of measuring the circumference of the tree at a height of 1m from the ground.

• On average a tree will grow at a rate of 2.5cm per year.

• Divide your tree circumference by the growth rate to calculate the age of the tree.

• In what year do you estimate the tree was planted?

3.

Sequence patterns • Form a repeat sequence using stones, pebbles, different leaves, seeds, berries or whatever the environment around provides.

• Lay out the sequence and share or record on paper.

• Can you work out the pattern in the sequences other people make?

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Activities – visits from secondary schools or groups with older children Soil Compaction Activity This activity relates well to geography but would also link to science. The idea of the activity is to understand compaction in soil. Through the activity, young people can be asked how they think compaction occurs, the negative effects of compaction and how compaction may be reduced.

You will need: • • • •

Plastic pots (all the same size) and enough for young people to work either individually or in pairs The pots should be filled with soil (try and get them all as similar as possible) Wooden stick, slightly taller than the pot Recording table as below.

Criteria

-3

-2

-1

1

2

3

Criteria

No airspace

Some airspace

One colour

Several colours

Water does not absorb

Water absorbs well

Solid mass of soil

Small particles can be seen

High resistance to stick

Little resistance to stick

Total Part 1: • •

Pour a small amount of water over the soil. If it absorbs within a couple of seconds it can be recorded as absorbing well.

Push the stick into the soil. Think about how much effort it took to push the stick through the soil. If the stick was merely guided then it would be considered to have little or no resistance.

Use the above two tests to complete the table. Points can be given for the other criteria by looking at the sample.

Part 2: Push down on the soil sample as much as possible then repeat the tests and observations carried out in Part 1. Record the scores and compare to the scores from Part 1.

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Activities – all ages Crop samples and products Have some large buckets of grain for the visitors to put their hands in and feel. Then in teams ask them to sort products according to which grain the product is made from. For older students or visitors put in some more challenging items like a hand cream made with linseed. (Brylcreem contains rapeseed oil.)

Mystery objects Everyone loves a mystery object! Tools and items that you use every day are fascinating to other people.

Choose items that are clean and safe to handle for example a cow passport, an ear tag, bull’s nose ring, milking cluster, grain moisture tester, pH testing equipment, spanners, AI bull catalogue, parts of larger machines, etc.

Can they guess what they are for?

Field work activities Schools are always keen to use some of their time at the farm to gather data they can use for classroom-based work after their visit. What they would like to do depends on age and subject area but might include: • • • •

16

Land use mapping Habitat/hedgerow/meadow surveys for plants and insects Pond/Stream dipping Soil Sampling

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Marvellous mini-fields Making connections – between farm, nature, food and everyday life is much easier with a mini field.

Why mini fields?

The one square metre mini field gives a focus for the ‘farm to food’ story you tell.

Getting your group to construct the mini field from pre-cut lengths of plastic pipe is an activity in itself. You can have as many mini fields as you like and tell as many marvellous stories as you want. Children will enjoy the challenge of guessing how many loaves of bread, boxes of cornflakes, etc. come from each mini-field.

Mini-fields are big on sensory experiences: feel the texture, size and weight of seeds/produce; compare the difference in weight between seeds planted and crop harvested. Offer plastic gloves to guests who prefer not to handle bare-handed (especially for people with autism).

Method

Time: 20-60 minutes For each mini field you will need: • 4 lengths of plastic conduit • 4 corner joints • Vegetable oil

The mini-fields activity can be done in the field or at the start or end of a tour.

• Farming and food props for each story you want to tell – all concealed in a bag or box

If you are using conduit (white plastic pipe) and corner joints from DIY stores then oiling the ends of the straight sections with cooking oil (from time to time) will make the mini fields easy to dismantle and reassemble.

• Small pots or plastic mini money bags from a bank to give your guests things such as seeds to hold/take away

Produce the props in your mini field story one by one from a box or bag to build the ‘wow’ factor. Let visitors feel, hear and see the props.

You can link what happens in farming in the mini field to everyday life by showing the seeds, the crop, what is produced and what foods it goes into. Invite your visitors to calculate the productivity of the whole field by pacing out or measuring the length and width of all or part of the field then work out how many mini fields and multiply up the total produced in kilos of flour, loaves of bread, etc.

See the following table for calculations for a range of mini fields.

Oilseed rape - if demonstrating oilseed rape, you can crush seeds between bricks to see the oil, and pour 180 ml of oil from a bottle into a measuring jug - the remainder, the seed case etc, go to be used in feed for animals.

Wheat - bite into seed to show the white flour and grind in a hand pepper mill to show how flour is milled from wheat. Either show two loaves of bread as the produce or set up a pop-up kitchen and cook 25 dinner plate size pancakes with the 800g flour.

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Earthworms - There can be 100 worms per square metre or mini field. How many in this field? Do the sums! For livestock farms there can be the same total weight of worms below ground as the weight of farm animals above it.

Worms only come to the surface on a rainy day. That’s why we only see them during or after rain. Summon up some worms by stamping, banging on a metal stake inserted in the mini field (the worms think it sound like it’s raining), or watering the ground with weak mustard powder solution. Handle the worms gently and offer gloves to people who may prefer not to be bare-handed.

Additional earthworm activity: Make a mini wormery by layering soil and sand in a large glass jar for which you have a lid with holes punched in. Add a few worms and put some leaves/vegetable peel/fruit pieces on the surface. Wrap round with black paper and observe over time. Only keep the worms for a few days then let them go in a shady spot.

Potatoes - Maris Piper (processing variety) plant 3 tubers in a mini field. Harvest up to 4.5 kilos potatoes; these will go to factory to make 180 packets of crisps.

Maris Peer (salad variety) plant 9 tubers in a mini field; Harvest them after about 16 weeks, when no more than 42mm in length, and get up to 3 kilos potatoes. Will make 30 (100g) pots of potato salad.

Sugar beet - plant 11 seeds in a mini field (likely only 9 of those will grow into strong healthy beet plants).

Harvest 9 big sugar beet with total weight of 7 kilos. Leaves and the top/crown of the root can be eaten by sheep or cattle. At the sugar beet factory the roots are washed, cooked, chopped and whizzed and 980g (or roughly two 500 g bags) of sugar will be extracted from the 7 kilos of sugar beet. The rest of sugar beet root is not wasted. It is made into dried animal feed, amongst other things.

Mini fields of grass - one sheep needs 1000 mini fields of grass to live on; one beef cow needs at least 7000 mini fields of grass.

For wool - one mini field helps a sheep to produce just 3g of wool a year. From ten mini fields of grass there’s enough wool to knit one pair of mittens or gloves!

Amazing animals numbers Milk magic - A dairy cow will give about 25 litres of milk a day – or 12.5 litres each milking. Use empty plastic milk bottles to show what this is. Stringing them up reveals the scale of this production.

Weigh hey! How much hay? In summer a dairy cow will need to eat about 70 kilos of grass in the field a day. In winter when the grass is not growing a cow will eat 25 kilos of dry feed like hay a day as well as concentrated food. Use spring scales and a sack and invite your guests to gather and weigh enough.

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Marvellous mini-fields - What can you find in a square metre?

Winter wheat Input Seed Pesticide /spray PK fertiliser (0.24.24) Nitrogen fertiliser (AN)

Per ha 15lt 300kg 580kg

Per m2 300seeds 1.5ml 30g 58g

Harvest: Wheat

10t

1kg

1kg Wheat 800g Flour 1 large loaf 1kg Wheat If included in chicken rations = 11 eggs To work out how many biscuits or cakes etc use 800g of flour and look in a recipe book to see what you could get

Winter oats Per m2 275 seeds 1ml 30g 37g

Input Seed Pesticide /spray PK fertiliser (0.24.24) Nitrogen fertiliser (AN)

Per ha

Harvest: Oats 750g Oats

7.5t 750g Would make about 450g of rolled oats (porridge)

10lt 300kg 376kg

Winter malting barley Input Seed Pesticide /spray PK fertiliser (0.24.24) Nitrogen fertiliser (AN)

Per ha 10lt 300kg 376kg

Per m2 275 seeds 1ml 30g 37g

Harvest: Barley

7.5t

750g

750g Barley

600g Malt

11 pints of beer or 1 bottle of whiskey 265 x (37g) packs of Maltesers 33 x (750g) pack of corn flakes

Input Seed Pesticide /spray PK fertiliser (0.24.24) Nitrogen fertiliser (AN)

Per ha 5lt 300kg 725kg

Per m2 80 seeds 0.5ml 30g 72g

Harvest: OSR

4t

400g

Oilseed rape

400g OSR @ 45% oil Rape seed oil can be used to make the very thin layer separating the toffee and nougat in Mars Bars…

makes 180ml of oil to cook chips, etc … enough for 500+ Mars Bars

Mini fields of grass Livestock One sheep needs One beef cow needs at least

Square metre (mini field) of grass 1000 mini fields of grass to live on 7000 mini fields of grass to live on

Produce

1 mini field helps a sheep to produce just 10 mini fields of grass produces enough wool to knit

3g of wool a year 1 pair of gloves or mittens

Thank you to Susie Emmett for the mini-fields activity and to David Jones, Morley Farms, for the numbers.

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After a visit Hopefully, you and your helpers will have really enjoyed the visit and feel that you have inspired your visitors to engage with food, farming and the countryside.

Once each visit has taken place, it is worth spending a little time reviewing the visit. You will have your own thoughts on how it went but also ask your helpers and do take time to read the evaluation form. Everyone’s feedback is invaluable in terms of planning for future visits. Feedback can allow you to see what the visitors thought worked well and positive comments can be used for future publicity and marketing.

If it is possible, follow up each visit with a letter or email to the teacher or visit organiser – see Appendix 5. This is a good way of maintaining links and communication with your visitors. You can always suggest further visits to your farm or offer to visit the school or group and talk to the pupils or group members.

It is also worth allowing time to collate any photographs from the visit. Again, these may be a very useful resource for publicity and marketing.

Do remember though to gain the necessary permission before using any videos or photographs.

Are you ready for more?

Once you have completed your visit and had time to reflect on it, you may decide you would like to do more. If this is the case, consider completing a CEVAS course (Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme).

CEVAS is a two-day accredited training course which gives you the chance to meet other farmers and outdoor educators to share ideas and to learn together. You will find out in more detail all the information you need to ensure you can offer safe and stimulating school visits to your farm. Find out more and sign up here: www.visitmyfarm.org/cevas-farmer-training

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Sources of information Check out the following websites for information and resources for your visits: www.visitmyfarm.org – a website managed by LEAF which covers everything you need to know about hosting a visit. It includes planning and activity ideas, resource library, how to promote your event, hints and tips and much more.

www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk – Countryside Classroom is a website that connects schools with high-quality resources and activity ideas. Plus, places to visit and people to ask for expert advice and support. It covers the topics of food, farming and the natural environment. You may like to register on this website as a potential venue for school visits. www.farmingismagic.co.uk – Pick up tips and techniques from this great collection of films featuring farmers demonstrating how they share the magic of farming with the public.

www.foodafactoflife.org.uk – A comprehensive, progressive education programme which communicates up-to-date, evidencebased, consistent and accurate messages around ‘food’ to all those involved in education; with resources to teach 3-16 year olds. www.leafuk.org/education – LEAF Education works with members and partners to promote visits to farms. LEAF Education also provides access to a range of high-quality educational resources and activities for school-based studies and outdoor visits.

Twitter: @LEAF_Farming

Education.nfuonline.com - NFU Education supports their members to engage with schools. They have resources for teachers and speakers for schools. www.rhet.org.uk – the Royal Highland Education Trust offers on-farm visits all year round, free of charge to Scotland’s school children. Their work includes organising school visits to farms in Scotland, farmer training and assisting with risk assessments.

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Appendix 1 Suggested curriculum links and activity ideas for farm visits

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm ď‚&#x; Handbook and Guidance Š LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Appendix 2 Introductory letter/email templates Template introductory letter/email for a school Alter and delete red text as appropriate Head teacher / relevant contact’s name / class teacher / Education Visits Coordinator School name and address Date Dear Miss / Mrs / Ms / Mr / Dr Re: Educational Farm Visits I am writing to you to make you aware that my farm offers educational visits for nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges, (delete as appropriate).

All visits are carefully planned with each school and can be linked to a broad range of curriculum subjects.

Visits are hands on and allow young people to learn how their food is produced and how modern farms operate in the UK. All visits are fully risk assessed, we have public liability insurance and have facilities such as hand washing areas and toilets.

We welcome pre-visits and encourage school / college, (delete as appropriate) staff to take the time to come on one. We use this time to work with you to plan a visit that fits the needs of your group.

On the enclosed sheet I have given a brief overview of my farm, a list of the subjects we can cover in a visit (but we are happy to discuss other activities if you have different requirements) plus some quotes from teaching staff who have visited our farm recently.

I would be very grateful if you could pass this information on to your colleagues and I do hope that I can welcome you to my farm in the future. If you have any queries or further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me on the following email / land line / mobile Yours sincerely Xxxx Xxxx Name of Farm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Also forward with the letter: Farm Description (include full address) Activity ideas Quotes following recent educational visits:

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Template introductory letter/email visiting group Add in “Group Leader name” Date Dear Miss / Mrs / Ms / Mr / Dr Re: Farm Visits I am writing to you to make you aware that my farm offers visits to groups of adults or accompanied children.

All visits are carefully planned with each visit organiser and can be linked to a broad range of interests. Visits are hands on and allow everyone to learn how their food is produced and how modern farms operate in the UK. All visits are fully risk assessed; we have public liability insurance and have facilities such as hand washing areas and toilets.

We welcome pre-visits and actively encourage visit organisers to come on one. We use this time to work with you to plan a visit that fits the needs of your group.

On the enclosed sheet I have given a brief overview of my farm, a list of the subjects we can cover in a visit (but we are happy to discuss other activities if you have different requirements). Plus some quotes from groups who have visited our farm recently.

I would be very grateful if you could pass this information on to any of your colleagues who may be interested and I do hope that I can welcome you to my farm in the future. If you have any queries or further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me on the following email / land line / mobile Yours sincerely Xxxx Xxxx Name of Farm _________________________________________________________________________________________ Also forward with the letter: Farm Description (include full address) Suggested activities Quotes from previous visitors

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Appendix 3 Pre-visit checklist Date of pre-visit meeting: Name of teacher or visit organiser

Name of farm staff conducting pre-visit

Date of farm visit: School / group name and address:

School / group contact name for visit: School / group telephone and email:

Number of visitors / pupils (including helpers) If children / pupils are visiting, what age group are they?

Do any of the children and adults on the visit have a health condition which the farm staff should be aware of to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit? i.e. Allergies, Asthma

List of names and conditions:

Do any of the children or adults have a learning, behaviour or mobility need?

Discuss suitability of farm visit for any women in the group who may be pregnant – see Risk Assessment.

List of Risk Assessment(s) given to teacher or visit organiser.

Meeting point for the visit will be:

Which activities have been planned?

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What alternative activities will be offered in case of poor weather?

Arrival and departure times.

Refreshments can be provided at break time (water and biscuit for young people, tea and coffee for adults).

Include if necessary Suitable clothing appropriate to the weather conditions must be worn.

A change of footwear in a carrier bag is essential for all those visiting the farm.

The school or visit organiser must inform parents / carers and all other visitors that clothing and footwear used on the visit should be washed and disinfected following the visit.

Children must be supervised by the visiting school staff or accompanying adults at all times and staff / adults will be expected to join in with the activities. The farm staff will deliver the activities. Please ensure that you have the correct ratio of adults to children as required by your Local Authority. Please take into consideration the groupings during the visit (i.e. whole group split into smaller groups).

Cost of visit and payment arrangements.

Include if necessary.

First Aid is the responsibility of the school or The school / group must ensure that they have the visiting group organiser. Please note that if required first aid provision in place. the group is large it may be broken into smaller groups for activities.

Photographs / videos.

Has permission been sought and a Photograph / Video Permission form completed if necessary?

Teacher / visit organiser signature: Member of farm staff signature: Date:

A copy of this pre-visit record should be retained by the farm and a copy provided to the teacher / visit organiser.

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm ď‚&#x; Handbook and Guidance Š LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Appendix 4 Farm visit evaluations Suggested evaluation form for teachers and group leaders

Insert farm name Date of visit: How would you rate your overall experience of the day? (please circle your response) Excellent Very poor 1 2 3 4 5 How would you rate the delivery of the day? (please circle your response) Excellent 1

2

3

4

Very poor 5

Additional comments:

What aspect(s) of the day did you find particularly useful?

How could the day have been improved?

Would you recommend a farm visit to a colleague?

Yes

No

Are you a... (please tick) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Teacher Teaching Assistant Trainee teacher Group Leader (if yes, what group)

...........................................................

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What action(s) will you take as a result of today's visit?

Has today’s visit altered your perceptions of the farming industry? (please tick) □ □ □

Yes - for the better No change Yes - for the worse

In the next 12 months, how many children/young people/adults do you estimate will benefit from your own learning today?

Please add any further comments you feel will help us to improve our visits.

School Question Only What obstacles prevent you from delivering more food and farming education?

School Question Only As a result of the day, do you intend to incorporate food, farming or the countryside into your teaching? (please circle your response) Yes

No

* Any personal information you give will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018: We will never: - Share your details with a third party.

- Use your name in the public domain without contacting you again for permission.

We will: - Use the information you have given to evaluate our work, measure our impact and support our marketing activities.

- If you give permission below, we will keep you up to date with relevant resources, events and notifications of interest.

May the farmer store your personal details to keep you up to date? (please tick) ❑ Yes, please keep me up to date with information about educational activities via an e-newsletter ❑ No, do not store my details, I do not wish to be kept up to date

Thank you again for completing this survey.

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How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Appendix 5 Follow-up letter/email templates Template follow-up letter/email for school groups -

for you to adapt and send out soon after

the school visit.

Staff contact name School name and address Date Dear Miss / Mrs / Ms / Mr Re: Visit to ............ Farm Just a quick letter / email to thank you for visiting my farm recently. I really do hope the children / young people enjoyed their time at the farm and learnt a little about modern farming in the UK. I very much enjoy having visitors to my farm and spending time explaining how food is produced and the countryside is looked after.

I also hope you found the visit to be educational and to have met your requirements in terms of curriculum learning.

If you or your young people have any follow up questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. It would be lovely to keep the link going and I would be very keen to welcome groups from your school / college to my farm in the future.

Yours sincerely XX Name of Farm

Template follow-up letter/email for visiting groups - for you to adapt and send out soon after the visit.

Visit organiser contact name Group name and address Date Dear Miss / Mrs / Ms / Mr Re: Visit to ............ Farm Just a quick letter / email to thank you for visiting my farm recently. I really do hope your group enjoyed their time at the farm and learnt a little about modern farming in the UK. I very much enjoy having visitors to my farm and spending time explaining how food is produced and the countryside is looked after.

If you or any of your group members have any follow up questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. It would be lovely to keep the link going and I would be very keen to welcome you to my farm again in the future.

Yours sincerely XX Name of Farm How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

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Appendix 6 Sample risk assessment This risk assessment is designed to help farmers assess their premises in relation to farm visits. You must make sure you cover all the significant risks on your premises even if they do not appear on this generic risk assessment. This form should not be used for other purposes, nor should it be used to assess the farm as a workplace. Employers with more than five employees must have a written Health and Safety Policy Statement and must record significant findings of their risk assessment. This document can be downloaded as a word document at https://www.visitmyfarm.org/farmers-resources/335-sample-risk-assessment. You must write your own Risk Assessment for your farm, each farm is unique.

Farm name:

Telephone:

Address where visit will take place:

Email: Website:

Postcode:

Grid reference:

Date of Risk Assessment:

Time of Risk Assessment:

Carried out by:

Signature:

Checklist: □ Sufficient access for visitors’ vehicles (cars, coaches etc.) with one-way system or turning area □ Areas out of bounds marked off □ Hand washing and boot washing point provided, and clearly signposted □ Fire equipment easily accessible □ The school or visiting group will provide a trained first-aider on site during the visit □ Clear contingency plans are in place in the event of an emergency, or unsafe behaviour amongst visitors □ Insurer has been informed and farm has adequate public liability cover □ Teacher or visit organiser has attended a pre-visit and discussed safety and group management

Summary (to be completed after the assessment) Is more information required?

Yes/No

Authorised by: (Signature)

..........................

More HSE guidance notes are available at www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics The code of practice for safety on farm visits www.visitmyfarm.org/component/k2/339-industrycode-of-practice

Acceptable: (for all beneficiary groups?)

Further action required:

Print name: Further action required: Risk Assessment to be discussed with teacher or visit organiser on pre-visit.

At the start of any visit a health and safety talk will be given to the whole group.

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Yes/No Yes/No

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

Car park – moving vehicles

Visitors – physical injuries, falls from getting in and out of cars, mini bus or coach. Visitors struck by vehicles

Discipline and Visitors visitor behaviour Public access/roads & vehicle movements Lost or disorientated visitors Trailer rides

Visitors entering farm on foot; passing from one part of farm to another struck by vehicles

Farm vehicles and machinery (not part of a demonstration)

All visitors – physical injury struck by moving vehicles or machinery

All visitors - wander into unsafe areas Visitors on a tractor and trailer ride – physical injuries: falling; being crushed or run over

What are you already doing?

What further action is necessary?

Suggestions below

Action by whom?

Coach parks in car park. Staff to maintain proper control on the bus/coach. Children stay on bus until instructed to get off.

Supervision of car park. One way systems.

Maintain surface of parking area e.g. avoid pot holes.

Pre-visit discussion with teacher or visit organiser regarding roles and responsibilities and supervision.

Barriers. Signs on road to alert traffic. Supervision of farm entrance. Divert route to avoid hazard. Provide safe transport e.g. tractor & trailer, segregate vehicles & pedestrians.

Regular head counts. Signage. Ensure visitors know what to do if they get separated from the group.

Suitable trailer (See HSE agricultural information sheet AIS 36; requirements for on road use of trailers carrying passengers are more onerous and further advice should be sought) www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais36.pdf Trained & competent driver. Tractor/trailer maintained. Supervision.

Do not carry out vehicle movements during farm visit. If absolutely necessary ensure vehicles & pedestrians segregated. Provide safe access routes to avoid vehicles. Avoid holding tours at busy times e.g. silagemaking. Brief contractors and delivery companies that there will be children / visitors on site.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Action by when?

Done

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

Workshop activities Uneven ground, steep paths

All visitors - physical injury from slips, trips and falls Visitors on nature trails, farm walks – slips, trips and falls

Slurry pits

All visitors – slips, trips, falls; drowning.

Sheep dipping baths Silage pits

All visitors – drowning.

Manure & compost heaps Ponds and water courses; zoonoses – Weil’s disease Fences and gates;

All visitors – contamination with manure.

All visitors – drowning; contamination with infective agent from contact with water.

Electric fences

All visitors – falls from height; Contamination with manure.

Visitors physical injuries – cuts, grazes etc.

Contamination of visitors from touching farm animals or contaminated surfaces followed by ingestion of micro-organisms.

Electric shock from touching live fences.

What are you already doing?

What further action is necessary?

Suggestions below

Action by whom?

Prevent access to workshop Choose a safe route or path – walk and check route for hazards. Cordon off problem areas. Warn visitors before setting off. Signage. Check during pre-vist that all members of the group are fully mobile and capable of walking the chosen route Prevent access and ensure adequate fencing to HSE AIS9 standard. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais9.pdf Supervision. Signage.

Prevent access and keep dips securely covered. Supervision.

Prevent access – area to be roped off when not full. Supervision. Signage.

Supervised hand washing.

Prevent access. Supervision. Signage.

Supervised hand washing.

Prevent access. Divert route to avoid water course - signage (at entrance and near water course). Washing facilities. (see later for pond dipping).

Maintenance of fences & gates. Regular cleaning to prevent contamination with manure. Provide hand washing facilities (See Industry Code of Practice). www.visitmyfarm.org/component/k2/339 -industry-code-of-practice Information & signage. Double fencing.

Cover barbed/electric wire at viewing point. Switch off fence.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Action by when?

Done

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

Barns and yards – bale & fertiliser stacks; unsecured tractor wheels, pallets, boxes etc.

All visitors – struck by falling objects, injuries due to climbing/falling.

Grain silos, bins and stores

All visitors – inhaling harmful grain dust; physical injury from falls; entrapment/ suffocation.

Visitors at milking demonstration See hand washing checklist – slips on wet surfaces.

Contamination with manure/slurry.

Milking parlour

Shearing activities Electricity zoonoses – such as orf, E coli O157, Cryptosporidiosis, etc.

Static machinery (tractors, harvesters, cultivation equipment, ATVs) Working machinery (e.g. bale-wrapping, spraying, feeding or bedding animals with machines etc.)

Visitors and staff/helpers at shearing demonstration; electric shock or burns; tripping on wires; contamination with manure/dung.

Visitors climbing on and playing with machinery displays – physical injury from contact with dangerous parts e.g. spikes or falls from height.

Visitors viewing machinery demonstrations: physical injury from contact with dangerous parts.

What are you already doing?

What further action is necessary?

Suggestions below

Action by whom?

Check stacks are secure & restack if required. Prevent access. Prohibit climbing on stacks (see later for supervised baleclimbing) Remove hazardous objects, tripping hazards etc. Store wheels/tyres etc. safely Prevent access to grain stores/bins. Cover intake pits. Supervision. Signage. Remove access ladders on bins or make safe.

Clean parlour prior to visit.

Supervised hand and boot washing must be provided. Designated viewing area/access routes. Supervision. Signage on steps, etc.

Remove any trip hazards.

Maintenance of electrical equipment & systems. Use RCDs on sheep shears.

Regular cleaning of area. Designated viewing areas. Wires out of passageways.

Hand washing facilities.

Static machinery must be supervised. Keys must be removed. Remove/protect sharp edges & dangerous parts. Signage. Park machinery safely e.g. Lift trucks & loader tractors with buckets/spikes on the floor.

PTO shafts & other dangerous parts must be guarded. Cordon off demonstration area. Signage and supervision. Staff/helper training. Remove keys & park safely when not in use. No chemicals may be sprayed No riding on machines permitted.

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Action by when?

Done

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? how?

What further action is necessary?

Zoonoses including E coli O157, Cryptosporidiosis, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Chlamydophila abortus (sheep afterbirth), orf, ringworm Poultry – Psittacosis (dust from faeces), Chlamydia psittaci;

Visitors feeding, petting or Do your hand washing facilities stroking calves, sheep, lambs, include the following: pigs, piglets, goats, kids, Enough basins/points □ horses, foals or contact with Liquid soap □ their dung, contaminated Paper towels □ surfaces, fences, & pens; Running warm water □ contamination of boots.

Accompanying adults will supervise Pregnant women (C abortus).

Visitors will be encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly by: (enter Visitors petting hens, chicks; feeding the chickens, pecked, person’s name) scratched.

Select healthy stock. If visitors touch livestock or fencing, hand-washing facilities must be provided. Locate facilities at exit of animal contact area. Signage and supervision by trained staff/helpers must be provided. Explain to visitors they cannot put their hands in their mouths, smoke, eat or drink before washing their hands because of the risk of infection. Animals in contact area should be clean and healthy (no scouring, dags) (See the Industry Code of Practice Preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact at visitor attractions) www.visitmyfarm.org/component/k2/339industry-code-of-practice Pre visit discussion with teacher / visit organiser regarding supervision of hand washing.

Teacher / visit organiser given a copy of “Code of Practice- Advice for teachers” on pre-visit.

Cuts on hands to be covered by a waterproof plaster.

No visitor access to animal pens. Fingers or hands must not be put through the railings or pen fencing. Warn visitors of the dangers of walking behind an animal.

Explain to visitors that sudden sounds or movement may frighten animals. Use signage and supervision by trained staff/helpers. Prohibit feeding. Restrict access by providing double fencing. Move less docile animals away from visitor area.

Sheep, pigs, horses, Visitors entering animal pens; cows, goats. feeding the animals; herding animals; performing simple farmyard tasks, contamination with dung, trampled; crushed; bitten; kicked; butted.

Suggestions below

Action by whom?

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Action by when?

Done

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and What are you already doing? how?

What further action is necessary?

Manure and faecal seepage – E coli 0157

Visitors viewing animals or entering livestock sheds walking through manure; touching manure on gates/walls/ partitions, contamination on shoes, laces, pushchair wheels; slips, trips and falls.

Pregnant women

No access to collecting yards. Clear areas of accumulated dung, faecal seepage.

Define pathways and keep clean. Clean gates, partitions. Apply fresh bedding before visit. Provide facilities to allow cleaning of contaminated footwear etc.

Change boots and then wash hands before leaving farm.

Although main time of risk is at lambing, many of the other zoonoses can be a higher risk during pregnancy - it is good practice for pregnant women not to attend farm visits.

Pre-visit discussion with teacher / visit organiser regarding appropriate clothing.

Plan B in place if weather prohibits planned farm tour / activities.

Keep pets indoors away from visitors.

Chlamydophila abortus

Suggestions below

Inclement weather

Visitors

Farm pets – dogs and cats

All visitors, especially children – bitten; scratched; toxoplasmosis through stroking, petting.

Fuel storage tank

All visitors – personal contamination, fumes, burns.

Keep fuel tank locked. Prevent access e.g. remove ladder. Supervision.

Animal feeds

All visitors – ingestion of feeds or contamination with microorganisms.

Visitors on farm walk/nature trail – ingestion of poisonous fruits, berries etc. Nettle stings, bramble scratches etc.

Wasp/bee stings. Hay fever.

Tick bites / Lyme Disease

Prevent access to feed stores. Supervision of feeding animals.

Washing facilities.

Check routes beforehand. Supervision.

Warn visitors before setting off. Avoid known hazards on route. Check with teacher / visit organiser regarding allergies. Suggest at pre visit that everyone wears long sleeves and trousers

Flora and fauna

Action by whom?

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Action by when?

Done

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

Electrical equipment – saw benches, heavy plant (not part of display) Ponds, streams for pond dipping

All visitors – physical injury from contact with dangerous parts.

Equipment stored or locked away and not used during visit/event. Restrict access. Fit guards to those on display. Disconnect power supply and make safe.

Children – drowning, slips, falls, cuts, grazes

Supervision. Avoid deep water and fastflowing streams. Safe access point/barrier to prevent falling in. Hand washing.

Supervision Supervision. Signage. Designated area with purpose-built stack.

Chemical and veterinary products must be locked away in a suitable store. Access to store prohibited.

Designated eating areas where contact with animals prevented. Wash hands thoroughly before eating or drinking. Children must be supervised by adults whilst hand washing.

Bale stacks for baleclimbing Chemical and veterinary products

Children – falling, asthma, allergic reactions, entrapment All visitors – ingestion of harmful chemicals, breathing vapour or skin contamination.

Food, refreshments Visitors

What are you already doing?

What further action is necessary?

Suggestions below

Action by whom?

Action by when?

Done

Please refer to the following documents when undertaking your risk assessment – they are available to download at www.visitmyfarm.org/component/k2/content/2-healthandsafety Access to Farms: Managing Risk Checklist

Industry Code of Practice: Preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact at visitor attractions Version 2 (updated March 2015) Summary of control measures Advice to teachers

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

Appendix 7 Photograph/video release form The farm staff may take photographs or video film for publicity purposes. These images may appear in printed publications, website, or both. They may also be used on social media.

Before taking any pictures and carrying out any filming we need your permission.

Please answer questions 1 and 2 below, then sign and date the form where shown.

1. Which of the children/members of the group may we NOT photograph/video? We use photographs in publicity material, including printed publications, videos and our website?

2. We regularly send publicity material about our event(s), including photographs, to the media, especially the local press. Which of the children/members of the group may not feature in this material?

Please note that: Websites can be viewed throughout the world, not just in the United Kingdom where UK law applies.

This form will be kept for as long as the media is available.

Signature

…………………………………………………………..…..

Please print your name in capitals

Date

…………………………………….…..……

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

School/class / group ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………

Contact details

email:

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

telephone:

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Signed on behalf of the farm

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Print name

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Position

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Event and location

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

How to deliver quality visits to your farm  Handbook and Guidance © LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming)

LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is the leading organisation delivering more sustainable farming and food. LEAF membership helps farmers improve their environmental and business performance and take pride in producing great food while protecting and enhancing the environment. LEAF manages LEAF Open Farm Sunday, the farming industry’s annual open day.

Join LEAF Education Public engagement is a key part of sustainable farming. The LEAF Education team work to inspire future generations about farming, food and the countryside. We help farmers navigate the world of education and support them in delivering inspiring and engaging on-farm and in-classroom activities. LEAF Education membership offers: • Access to CPD and personal training • Licence to add the LEAF Education logo to your promotional material and website • One £10 DBS check discount for any member of staff or volunteer • 30% discount on LEAF information boards for your farm • One free place to the LEAF Education and Public Engagement Conference • Access to LEAF Education resources, events and training.

For information about LEAF Education farmer membership: www.leafuk.org/education

Join LEAF LEAF also helps farmers to farm more sustainably through our membership tools and services which include: the LEAF Sustainable Farming Review; LEAF Demonstration Farms and LEAF Innovation Centres; the LEAF Marque environmental assurance system; technical guidance booklets and e-newsletters; access to our online Information Centre.

For information about LEAF membership: www.leafuk.org/join-leaf LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7641 3911 Email: enquiries@leafuk.org Website: www.leafuk.org Registered charity no: 1045781