Last week was a busy time in Wallets Marts in Castle Douglas, with 300 Primary School children attending two ‘Food & Farming’ days. These events were arranged by the Royal Highland Educational Trust, in partnership with the Galloway Glens Scheme, and sought to introduce the young people to the farming sector and show off the range of professions available.
Activities on the day included
- Tom Kirkpatrick from Kirkpatrick’s Kitchen and Quality Meat Scotland demonstrating the importance of higher welfare meat;
- Scottish Natural Heritage and Millbank Parkland Venison handling deer and venison,
- Mary Smith discussing how to make good food choices;
- Glen Urr, Roan’s Dairy and Arla highlighting the story behind milk;
- Demonstrations about cereal production & use;
- Sheep Management and farming; and
- Creative, heritage skills with the Dumfries & Galloway Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers
There were also live animals, milking trucks and plenty of taster foods at lunchtime. It was all rounded off with an auction of Pygmy Goats, courtesy of Wallets Marts staff.
Fiona Jamieson, RHET Project Co-Ordinator, who led the events, said:
“We were delighted to partner with the Galloway Glens to offer these superb Food and Farming learning experiences. Along with our funding from the Scottish Government, partnerships like this allow us to offer more opportunities to local school children to really understand what the food and farming industry represents as well as learn about the career choices it presents. We are grateful to Wallets Marts for hosting the event, along with our numerous supporters and volunteers who helped make it happen again this year.”
Helen Keron, Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer, added:
“These have been a fantastic couple of days, good fun and really informative. The Royal Highland Educational Trust (RHET) has an extremely well-established track record in connecting young people with their food and farming heritage, and we were delighted to be part of that. It was fantastic to see so many children (and teachers) enjoying themselves but also learning so much. It was also great to see the passion amongst the food and farming community for passing their traditions on to the next generation – the volunteer effort involved in these days is incredible. Thanks to all who came along and to all the supporters, especially Wallets Marts who hosted us so well.
A key aim of the Galloway Glens Scheme is to let our young folk see their future can be here in Galloway. The Food & Farming days sought to spark their imagination to the opportunities available in the industry.”
