Green fingers means pupils get dirty hands

Morethan200schoolchildren from Peterborough and the surrounding area were able to plant potatoes and lettuce, as well as learn about how potatoes are grown and the local history of potato farming with the East of England Agricultural Society’s education initiative, Kids Country.

With a real focus on letting children get their hands dirty, the event was supported by local fresh produce businesses, Produce World and G’s Fresh, and local Fenland potato farmer, Farmer Luke.

The children will all return to the East of England Showground in June to harvest their potatoes, with prizes for the biggest yield.

Schools that took part were Leighton Primary School, Newark Hill Academy, Orton Wistow Primary School and William Law C of E Primary School.

Nicola Green, a teacher at Newark Hill Academy, said: “It was great for the children to get their hands dirty and learn about how potatoes and

lettuce are grown, they really enjoyed it.”

Farmer Luke gave his top tips for looking after the potato plants, whilst the teams from Produce World and G’s Fresh helped the children understand how the produce

gets from field to fork through their factories.

Farmers Annie, Clive and Mary also brought the history of Fenland potato farming to life with videos and re-enacting how potatoes were planted by hand.

Charlotte Dowding from G’s Fresh said: “It is so important for us to be involved in educating children where food comes from, for them to get their hands dirty, grow some vegetables, and for many, eat lettuce for the first time.”

Pupils from Newark Hill (above and top) and Leighton Primary (right)