SBCAN was delighted to be involved in the RHET Estate Day at The Hirsel, Coldstream, celebrating the fantastic opportunities that events like this provide to connect young people with farming, food production and the wider countryside.
Estate days are a brilliant way of bringing the classroom to life, giving young people the opportunity to get out onto the land, meet the people who work in agriculture and learn more about where their food comes from and the important role farming plays in shaping our landscapes and communities. It is also vital chance for young people and educators to learn about the huge range of agricultural careers there is.
From an SBCAN perspective, these opportunities are particularly valuable in helping young people understand the connections between farming, climate, biodiversity and the natural environment. Farming is not just about producing food; it is also about caring for the land, managing natural resources and supporting the wildlife and habitats that make the Scottish Borders such a special place.
There is a real opportunity to build on this through conversations about how farming is evolving, the challenges facing the agricultural sector and the positive work already happening across the region to support more sustainable and nature-friendly farming.
We are particularly keen to see climate and nature woven into existing rural education opportunities, rather than treated as separate subjects. Helping young people understand the relationship between healthy soils, biodiversity, food production and climate resilience can play an important part in building a better understanding of the future of farming.
The RHET programme does such valuable work in opening doors between schools and the agricultural community. The young people can have fun learning, while celebrating the knowledge, skills and experience of the people who work and manage our land every day.
A huge well done to Sally and her team at The Hirsel. It was a great opportunity to celebrate our rural heritage, encourage curiosity and help inspire the next generation to take an interest in farming, food and the future of the Scottish Borders countryside.