Farm And Countryside Education (FACE) is an organisation that I know a lot of members are very supportive of.

It makes sure that tomorrow’s customers of our businesses have a grasp of why it is important to buy British produce.

But it is so much more than that. It helps children gain an understanding of what happens on the other side of the fence.

However, what you may not be aware of is the relatively limited budget that FACE works under.

Katy Pallas is the North West FACE co-ordinator. It may surprise you to know that Katy is only contracted to work a day and a half a week for the term time, this is only about sixty days a year.

So how this resource is used must be handled very carefully. There is a limited budget for Katy’s work that must meet all of her costs. Whilst Katy has a business plan to adhere to, she is very keen to find ways of working more closely and efficiently with the farming community.

One of the options the NFU is exploring is establishing a network of trained farmers across the North West that could offer their time to go into schools and explain from a farmer’s perspective what is happening. Young children in particular are generally fascinated by anything agriculturally related.

Take a look around any young child’s room and there will be books about farm animals or tractors, we just need to build on this. Secondary school pupils, whether studying geography or biology, will almost certainly benefit from some of your experience.

Then there are the teacher training colleges where those that teach the next generation learn the skills they will need.

If they leave teacher training college without the correct knowledge and a jaundiced view of agriculture, then all of our businesses will suffer.

So you may be wondering what the point of this is. Well, if we don’t take charge of our future we can only blame ourselves if the customer of the future does not understand what is happening in the field and does not understand why they should be buying British produce.

FACE will be looking to find the volunteers who can be trained to go into schools (or possibly host school visits on farm) for the benefit of all our businesses.

If you have an interest in the future of your business, take the time to consider looking to safeguard it, not only for your future, but for all our futures. T

here’s no better way of doing this than by passing your enthusiasm for the industry to the next generation.

Call NFU Communications Adviser Carl Hudspith at the NFU regional office on 01695 554900 if you’re interested in taking part.