29/10/08

Welsh Organic Farming Award 2008 goes to farmer who takes schools on farm visits

An organic farmer who has done pioneering work arranging school visits to farms has won this year's Welsh Organic Farming Award, presented by John Lloyd Jones OBE, Chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales, at the annual Welsh Organic Producers' Conference on 23 October in Llanelwedd.

Nick Rebbeck farmed in the Lampeter area for nearly 30 years, and began having school visits under the Tir Gofal scheme. When foot and mouth disease put a stop to these visits, he made a short film about the farm, called 'A Year in a Day' to take to schools instead.

In 2004, he was assisted by the Soil Association to work on a pilot scheme to co-ordinate school visits to farms in west Wales. This scheme was successful and in 2005 he received new funding via the Soil Association from the Countryside Council for Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government and Enfys to continue the work.

"My aim is to tell people that there is a fantastic resource close to every school and college which offers 'real education' - and that is a farm," said Nick. "This practical education benefits future generations on such issues as health, community regeneration and local culture as well as offering job opportunities.”

Nick now operates through Learning on the Farm Ltd (LOTF) which covers Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Llanelli, Swansea and the Gower. Working with Jill Simpson, farmer and teacher, they have accomplished over 300 visits in three years – approximately 7500 people connecting with food, farming and the environment.

He recently produced a DVD for OCW, called ‘Learning Along the Food Chain’ which has been distributed to schools around Wales. In 2008 he also produced and directed educational films about life on two farms to take into schools and show to local groups.

LOTF works closely with Organic Centre Wales, the Soil Association, FACE (Farming and Countryside Education), Countryside Council for Wales who jointly endorsed the award.

The Welsh Organic Farming Awards are given by the Organic Strategy Group to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of organic farming in Wales. The award was organized by Organic Centre Wales.

Picture: Nick Rebbeck, left, receiving his award from John Lloyd Jones on 23 October 2008

Ends

Further information:

Nick Rebbeck, Learning on the Farm, Lampeter. Tel 01570 470470 or 07977 904949, e-mail nick@learningonthefarm.org.uk

Jane Powell, FACE Wales, Organic Centre Wales, Aberystwyth University, Tel. 01970 622248, e-mail jane@face-online.org.uk 

Notes for the editor

1. Learning on the Farm is a limited company which arranges school visits to farms in west Wales. For more information see www.learningonthefarm.org.uk.

2. Organic Centre Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide information on organic food and farming to producers, food businesses, consumers, schools and others. It is based at Aberystwyth University and run by a partnership consisting of ADAS, the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm, and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University. See www.organic.aber.ac.uk.

3. The Soil Association is the UK's leading campaigning and certification organisation for organic food and farming. It has an active education programme. See www.soilassociation.org.uk.

4. FACE (Farming and Countryside Education) is a registered charity that was established in 2001 to help school pupils learn about the real business of farming and maintaining the countryside. In Wales, its work is coordinated by Organic Centre Wales. See www.face-cymru.org.uk

5. The DVD 'Learning along the food chain' can be ordered from Organic Centre Wales or viewed at www.organic.aber.ac.uk/schools.

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