Learn
Nonington Farms are firm believers of outdoor education through practical, hands-on experience, strongly encouraging the farm to be used as an outdoor classroom. This ranges from school and university groups, post graduate students doing research and other academic work, professionals within the agricultural industry doing trials work on the farm and sharing their knowledge and learnings with wider groups; and adult interest groups. All ages and groups are welcome: the youngest has been just a few days old; the oldest currently in their 90s!
Children: All school-aged groups, from Reception to Year 13, can apply for our fieldtrips, either one-off visits or weekly sessions. Farm School runs every Wednesday for flexi-schooled and home educated families; and schools participate in termly sessions, coming on to the farm once a week for a term to experience the farm over a season. Under our Countryside Stewardship scheme funding we can offer a certain amount of these visits for free, but they are increasingly popular and operate on a first come, first served basis.
Students: We welcome students conducting their dissertation or thesis to the farm, and are willing to give them time to interview us. Nonington Farms Ltd has links with University of Kent, University of Reading and Writtle University, hosting students from there regularly for farm tours and discussions.
Adults: adult groups can participate in guided learning walks on the farm, whether local interest groups (conservation, environmental or community focused). We also host other farmers through our LEAF Demonstration status, and others keen to learn about how we farm, including our local East Kent Barham Downs cluster farm. We also host those involved in agriculture professionally, such as policy makers from Defra, conducting farm trials for agrochemical companies and sharing in research for the future.
Everyone can come to our Open Farm Sunday events.
Throughout the year, therefore, we reckon over 1000 people of all ages come to the farm to learn more, share ideas and participate on our farm. So, whether you are a parent or child, a pre-school or nursery, a school or college, an interested group of adults, or industry professional, and you want to arrange a farm visit, we would love to hear from you. Fill in a contact form here.
What do you do on a farm visit
Our farm visits are tailor made to your group’s requirements. With a qualified teacher, qualified Forest School Leader and CEVAS registered member of staff, we can advise and support you in creating the appropriate visit you want. We can even sort out the risk assessment for you! The subject content covered on a fieldtrip with us can be broad ranging and far reaching. Come along and see for yourselves!
An example timetable:
| 9:30–10:00 | Arrive, H&S briefing and introduction |
|---|---|
| 9:45–11:45 | Farm tour, looking at the mill, grain stores, livestock, growing crops, nature and environmental schemes including hedge laying and bird habitats, bees and cover crops. |
| 11:45–12:00 | Return to farm |
| 12:00–1:00 | Lunch, followed by waste audit (composting and recycling food and other waste) |
| 1:00–1:45 | Activity in the woods or grassland; or bread making using flour milled at the farm |
| 1:45 - 2:00 | Return to the farmyard (on tractor and trailer), final Q&A session. |
| 2ish | Depart |
We would usually recommend at least 2 hours for a farm visit, ideally 4 hours.
Our facilities include WCs (including disabled access), rudimentary cooking facilities, indoor space, and plenty of parking for coaches/minibuses/cars. To book your farm trip, contact us here.
