Derbyshire farmers first to get fully funded school farm visit training from AHDB and LEAF

Derbyshire farmers are the first in the country to get fully funded training to help them open their farms to children and young people, courtesy of AHDB and LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming).

The sessions are on 14 and 21 October 2026 at Matlock Farm Park, Matlock, DE4 5LH. The closing date for applications is 14 September 2026.

We joined forces with LEAF in July to launch Open Your Gate – a campaign supporting farmers to deliver one million on-farm learning experiences for children and young people by 2031, increasing their understanding of food production, farming and the environment.

By opening their gates today, farmers can help shape the consumers, decision-makers and agricultural workforce of tomorrow.

To inspire and help farmers overcome obstacles to delivering farm visits as part of the one million ambition, 80 farmers nationwide are being given the chance to take part in our free School Farm Visits Support (SFVS) programme, developing their knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver safe, high quality and meaningful on-farm experiences.

• Fully funded Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) training, providing the knowledge and practical guidance needed to plan and deliver safe, high-quality and engaging farm visits
• Tailored one-to-one support with a LEAF Education Specialist, helping each farmer apply the training to their own farm, from visitor routes and activities to planning their first visit and connecting with local schools
• Practical resources and ongoing support, including access to a network of new and experienced host farmers

Farmers who have already taken part in the CEVAS course have found it transformative.

Celia Smith, who has a dairy and beef farm in Gloucestershire, said:

"It was great to meet other farmers and hear about what they are doing as well as getting all the important information needed to open the farm up to visitors. The course leaders were really inspiring."

Elaine Smith, of Lancashire Farm Education, was equally enthusiastic:

"We'd done a few test sessions through using the holiday club children to try different activities to see if they'd work on the farm. But I just needed to feel a little bit more confident in making sure that everything was safe and the activities were appropriate.

"The CEVAS course is the perfect place to start because it makes you think about how you would deliver those sessions… you also get a massive amount of support following that course from LEAF and from AHDB as well. I would definitely recommend the CEVAS course… that training was absolutely invaluable."

The campaign comes amid growing evidence that young people want to know more about where their food comes from but often lack opportunities to engage directly with farming.

A major study led by LEAF involving 2,500 young people found that 95% want to understand where their food comes from, 91% believe their food choices can help tackle climate change, and more than half want to know how to enter the agri-food sector.

We and LEAF believe that giving children first-hand experiences of sustainable farming can help address misconceptions, build trust in food production and inspire future careers in the sector.

Roz Reynolds, AHDB Head of Education, said:

"Every farm has a story to tell, and working with LEAF we are providing the tools, training and support to help farmers host visits with confidence. By opening their gates, farmers can help children understand where their food comes from, share the pride they take in producing food and inspire the next generation through real experiences on farm.

"Open Your Gate is about creating a movement across the industry. Together, we can help deliver one million impactful farm experiences by 2031."

Carl Edwards, LEAF Director of Communications, Engagement and Education, said:

"Open Your Gate is built around a clear national ambition – to give more children and young people the opportunity to experience farming first-hand and to give farmers the confidence and support to welcome them.

"Farmers should not feel that they have to work out how to host visits alone. Through fully funded training, practical resources and bespoke support, we can help them take that step safely and confidently."

Achieving one million on-farm learning experiences will require a collective effort. We are also asking organisations across food and farming to champion the campaign and encourage farmers within their networks to take part.

Applications are now open for fully funded places on the School Farm Visits Support Programme. Derbyshire farmers interested in opening their gates can find out more and apply at AHDB School Farm Visits Support Programme 2026.