A new education centre which aims to inspire young people about career opportunities in agriculture has been officially opened.
Supported by EDGE Careers, the education hub at Jimmy’s Farm, near Ipswich, will welcome hundreds of school children and young visitors every year.
The hub was officially opened today (Weds 16 September) at a gathering for organisations involved in EDGE Careers – an industry-led project which supports young people and new entrants into the food and farming industries.
The hub provides a base for young people visiting the popular farm attraction. Whether as part of school groups or with their friends and family, children and young people can visit the hub and turn the excitement from their visit into inspiration to develop a career in food and farming.
EDGE Careers is now in its third full year and is offering its services nationally after two successful years working with employers and young people across the East of England. So far, the project has supported more than 520 new entrants into apprenticeships and jobs in agriculture.
Project manager Richard Self said: “We need to do more to attract non-farming families into the sectors working with Jimmy’s Farm, it's a positive move for EDGE Careers. Jimmy’s Farm welcomes hundreds of young people every year and gives children, their families and teachers the chance to see a farm in action. By using the new education hub as the base for these school trips, it is hoped that the visitors will be able to find out more about the huge range of land-based opportunities and be inspired to seek careers in the sector.”
The education hub will provide a place for the school groups to meet, eat lunch and ask the education team questions over the winter term. Jimmy’s farm currently hosts around 5150 students and 1500 adults each year on just over 120 school, brownies and guide visits. The hub is a great benefit to Jimmy’s Farm, as they have previously been without a permanent base for their popular educational visits.
The launch welcomed children from Dedham school, who had a great day on the farm seeing the animals, and in the hub making sausages.
Ali McMillan, in charge of events and marketing at Jimmy’s Farm, said: “The education hub is an exciting new opportunity for us on the farm. We are looking forward to working with schools and other educational institutions to educate young people in all aspects of agriculture and farming.”
