CHILDREN from Okehampton Primary School will swap the classroom for the farm next week as Devon County Council’s fourth annual Farmwise Devon event returns to Westpoint in Exeter.

A record breaking 1,400 pupils from 35 primary schools will have the chance to touch, taste and feel their way around life on the farm when they take part in the event on Tuesday, October 11.

Designed to take you on a food journey from field to fork, the event is a fun filled and hands on experience aimed at giving Devon children a better understanding and appreciation of farming in the county, and encourage them to take an interest in how food is produced. This autumn’s event will take the total number of children attending Farmwise Devon to more than 10,000.

Cllr Caroline Chugg, chairman of Devon County Council’s farms estates committee, said: 'The Farmwise Devon events have been a highlight of the year for many primary school children, and have really opened their eyes, ears and noses to what Devon’s farmers do best.

'As a rural county, the farming industry plays such a vital role in our local economy, and it is important that the younger generation learn more about it.

'Most children are unlikely to have first hand knowledge of what’s involved in being part of the farm to fork supply chain, so this event is all about giving them a very real appreciation and understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced, and how important farming is to Devon.'?Divided in to 12 zones including Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Poultry, Wildlife, Environment, Fruit, Vegetables, Arable, Food, Pigs and Woodland, children will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of Devon’s agriculture.

Tenant farmers from Devon County Council’s farms estate will be passing on their knowledge and expertise through practical demonstrations and involving the children in hands on experiences, such as milking cows, shearing sheep and making cheese in order to help them learn where their food comes from and how it is produced.

Event organiser for Devon County Council, Jon Williams, said the best bits of the event are where the children get to touch, feel and smell the activity they are involved with.

'This is the fourth year that Devon County Council has organised Farmwise Devon, and each year we receive excellent feedback from the schools about the value of the event and how much their pupils enjoy it.

'Firm favourites are the piglets and the sheep dogs. And this year we’ve got some kid goats too which are sure to be a big hit. There will also be hatching eggs at the event, with a special webcam in the incubator so children’s won’t miss any of the action.'