A PROJECT to enable schools and farmers to link up and ‘develop mutually-beneficial relationships’ has been awarded a major grant from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.

The cash injection of £15,262.50 will enable the Clapham-based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to develop an innovative new project called ‘Dales Farmers in Education’.

Inspired by a one-day event at Keasden Head Farm, near Clapham, last year, the scheme will provide support and assistance to enable schools and farmers to link up for high-quality educational farm visits.

Farmers will have the opportunity to visit and learn from other farms in the area that are already taking part in Education Access. And teachers will be able to take part in taster days on different farms to see for themselves the potential for using farm visits as an effective way to support the National Curriculum.

In addition, ten schools will be able to claim a travel bursary to help cover transport costs to enable their pupils to visit a farm and explore the important connection between farming and the landscape, environment, local heritage and food.

Judy Rogers, project officer at YDMT, said: “Farms can be exciting and fascinating places to visit, and an excellent place to start when trying to pave the way for youngsters to connect with their local environment and cultural heritage.”