Introduction:
In May 2026 we were welcomed back to Henry and Richard Lang’s Farm, on the edge of Curry Rivel for the field days. Our topics were;
- Wheat & beneath our feet
- Pondlife Safari
- River Catchment.
Our marvellous army of committed volunteers supported over 250 children from eight classes, from five schools over four days to engage and enthuse with hands on activities.
The primary schools attending were:
- Lympsham Primary School, Burnham-on-sea
- East Brent Primary School, Highbridge
- Thurlbear Primary School, Taunton
- Trull Primary School, Taunton
- Ash Primary School, Martock
- North Curry Primary School, Taunton
- High Ham Primary School, Langport
What we did:
Children and their teachers from the eight classes were bussed to Home Farm for half a day of activities, bringing their packed lunches to enjoy whilst on the farm. In small groups they carousel around the carefully planned activities, to inspire them with a hands-on approach to linking food, farming and wildlife.
- Wheat and beneath our feet:
The crop in the field at Home Farm was wheat, the farmer took the groups on a field walk and talk teaching the children about animal feed, flour, bread-making. The children were taught how to recognise a variety of crops and discuss the processes they go through to become the foods we all know, as well as hand milling some wheat.
They then had a hands-on session looking at soil health and exploring why we need healthy soil, delving into trugs of soil, identifying types of worms. With the focus to connect through hands-on experiences the connection between healthy soil for healthy crops.
- Pondlife Safari:
We welcomed some knowledgeable pond enthusiasts, who took children on an ID safari to identify different species that can be found lurking beneath the water!
The children had a go at gently sweeping nets through the water to empty them into trays, so they could take a closer look and identify.
- River Catchment:
Home Farm is a rich landscape of farmland, woodland, field margin habitat zones rivers and ponds. The children learnt about the value of these landscapes within the farmed environment. The Exmoor Game School delivered a hands-on practical session that connected children to thinking about where our food comes from. Starting from water quality, what lives in our rivers and how we choose what food we eat, as responsible consumers.
The children learnt about the life cycle of a trout, talked about what is in the food we buy in packets compared to gutting our own trout. The children had a go, then made ceviche to eat!
Research
After an array of inspiration from the field days, children had six weeks back in the classroom and at home to research and learn about the things that inspired them the most in more detail.
The Award
This year the judging of the award took place in schools. Our three judges, who are from farming and wildlife backgrounds, had the pleasure of visiting all the schools over a period of two days to meet the classes of children and to be shown the work they had produced in class and for many at home too. This was challenging for the judges!
The schools exceeded our expectations with the work and fun they clearly had. The work demonstrated in the presentations showed excellent and creative ways that they undertook their research, then extending their own understanding either in class work or homework.
Our judges spent a considerable amount of time studying the work and it was a very close-run competition.
The winners: High Ham Primary School
High Commended: Trull Primary School, year 4
Runners up: Trull Primary School, year 3
The Kingfisher Award trophy was then presented to the winning school at a whole school assembly by Farmer Henry before the end of term. All schools that took part received certificates and wildlife books for their school library.
