Former JLS boy-band star JB Gill joined children from Holy Cross primary school, Leicester on a visit hosted by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust at the Allerton Project.
Their mission was to observe and learn more about how farmers can increase wildlife numbers, improve soil health and continue to provide food for a growing population.
The visit also included a tour around the farm itself, led by Alastair Leake – Director of Policy at the Allerton Farm - showing JB the current work that the Allerton Project is undertaking and how they work with global brands and farmers, offering practical advice and sharing their farmland research.
Formerly one fourth of the boy band JLS, JB has since firmly found his feet in the farming world.
JB said: "I had a fantastic time at Allerton, learning about the best farming practices and how mixed farming methods are used to encourage both yield and wildlife growth.
"It was also a great opportunity to see how the educational visits are run at Allerton, and offer my support, as this is something I am seeking to replicate on my own farm in Kent."
The visit brought into the focus just how important it is for urban children to gain access to food, farming and the countryside.
Jill Attenborough, Chief Executive of The Country Trust said: "The Country Trust is passionate about bringing the working countryside alive for those children least able to access it.
"It was evident today how visits to real working farms can provide amazing experiences which fuel children’s imagination and really fire them up to learn more about the world around them."
JB is committed to a similar vision and, as a presenter of the CBeebies programme 'Down on the Farm', is keen to inspire children about the countryside and help them understand where their food comes from.
"I think it’s invaluable for children to experience our countryside. In the UK we have some of the best countryside in the world.
"It’s such a great place for children to learn and develop - it takes some of them from inner city areas out of their comfort zone and allows them to learn with freedom and a wealth of experience that they can’t really get anywhere else", said JB.
