Primary school children from West Cornwall enjoyed a trip to a farm last week to search for wildlife and improve their knowledge of farming and the countryside.

The Kingfisher Award Scheme (KAS) supported by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West provides children with the opportunity to go onto farms to explore the natural world.

The event is in its ninth year and usually takes place at a different location in Cornwall each year. This year saw a return to Higher Lanner Farm that forms part of the National Trust’s Penrose Estate, near Helston.

Farmer Martin Wallis runs the dairy farm with 300 head of cattle alongside growing arable and vegetable crops.

Groups from Leedstown, Mullion, St Michael’s, Crowan, Boskenwyn, Germoe and Porthleven primary schools each spent half a day learning hands-on about the farm and the wildlife that resides in and around it.

Pupils watched nesting swallows, learnt about barn owls that live in the farm buildings and discovered what they eat by dissecting owl pellets.

Insects were discovered in the nearby woodland and the children got their hands dirty learning about the importance of soil and the creatures that live within it.

There was also opportunity to learn how milk is produced from the farm’s cows. This involved meeting the dairy herd in the pastures, finding out what they eat and exploring a dung heap with farmer Martin.

Jacky Cherry, a dairy farmer from North Cornwall, who organises the event said:

“This event could not happen without the support and enthusiasm of our volunteers. We have been amazed at how much the children take away from the field days and the depth of their understanding of the natural world, when given the time to engage with it.”

Each school will now produce a project based on their visit describing what they learnt. Judges will have the tough task of picking the best at a celebration event that the schools will attend at the Penrose estate on Thursday 14th July.

The event is supported by Cornwall Food and Farming Group, Dartington Cattle Breeding Trust, JG Hogg Charitable Trust, Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association and the Tanner Trust.