Farming comes alive with LMC’s ‘Farm In A Box’ 📦

The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) is bringing farming directly into the classroom through provision of a new interactive educational resource ‘Farm In A Box’. Developed proactively for foundation level pupils, this resource has been well received by a number of primary schools across Northern Ireland to date. 

Officially launching ‘Farm In A Box’ at Glenwood Primary School, Belfast, LMC Education and Consumer Promotions Manager, Emma Brownlee said, “We are delighted to launch Farm In A Box which brings learning to life with interactive resources carefully curated to support hands-on exploratory learning. 

“With Farm In A Box we aim to educate pupils on the farm-to-fork journey of beef and lamb as well as building a wider understanding of the role that farming plays in everyday life across Northern Ireland.”

Farm In A Box contains raw wool, a traditional drop spindle, magnifying glass, samples of animal meal, hay, wheat and soil as well as a range of age-appropriate activities, teacher guidance notes and curriculum-linked resources. 

Wesley Wright, Principal at Glenwood Primary School said, “So many children nowadays don’t know where their food comes from and are quite isolated from that journey. Farm In A Box is an excellent resource, which links perfectly to the curriculum. The hands on resources help the children understand the farm to fork journey of their food and the broader role that agriculture plays in providing for them.”

Colin Smith, LMC Chief Executive added, “Farm In A Box felt like a natural progression for LMC’s education programme enabling LMC to engage with young people earlier than ever before, supporting pupils from the very start of their educational journey. Together with our wider portfolio of initiatives, it allows us to provide guidance, inspiration and opportunities right through from primary school to further and higher education. 

“The Farm in a Box resource engages young minds with the farm to fork journey at an age-appropriate level and helps spark curiosity and understanding about where our food comes from. What makes our education programme truly impactful is its span beyond the classroom, information is frequently taken home and shared with parents, carers and siblings. This broadens the conversation beyond the classroom creating greater awareness across multiple generations and strengthening those all-important connections between consumers and the agri-food industry.

“LMC’s education programme delivers real value for levy payers by investing in the development of future talent for the sector and future consumers, strengthening awareness and appreciation of Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured beef and lamb is helping to sustain future demand for the products.”