The ‘cultivate’ scheme of discovery

By Jess McGovern, head of Education and Development at the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society in Trinity.

In 2019 the RJA&HS launched its Cultivate Programme, which cultivates the connection between the farm and the plate. Our guiding principle is the understanding of where our food comes from - how it’s produced; the seasons; and the environment it in which it is grown. This helps us to develop a sense of place and empowers us to be a steward for our planet.

Our first event was called Cultivate Young Minds in April 2019, 70 teenagers, 25 agri-food stakeholders, policy makers and teachers for the first time, joined together to help cultivate a connection with not only our local seasonal food and produce, but also with the wonderful communities who grow it. The message of the day was that if there is a story behind the food we are eating, we can enjoy our food more and eat more healthily and more sustainably. When asked the question, ‘Would you like to know more about Jersey’s agri-food industry? - 88% of the teenagers said YES. The consensus from this feedback was that as an Island community, we have a responsibility to our young people, to offer further learning opportunities to those curious to learn how they can add value to the agri-food industry at a local or a global scale. Cultivate Young Minds 2020 was set to be an Agri-Food bonanza, with an oversubscribed student sign up and double the number of agri-food stakeholders ready to inspire and ‘Cultivate Young Minds’. Due to Covid19, Cultivate Young Minds 2020 has been postponed until 2022. We did not let this be an obstacle, instead we looked at it as an opportunity to expand our ‘Young Minds’ reach.

“The eight lesson

‘Cultivate Scheme of Discovery’ will provide young people an opportunity to learn about our agri-food industry in a fun and interactive way

As part of my role, I have had the opportunity to connect with Jersey’s dynamic agri-food community who grow, rear, catch and cook our local food. What these visits have highlighted to me, as a former Geography teacher, is that many of our young people are missing out on feeling connected to our local agri-food industry because they simply do not know about it. With Cultivate Young Minds 2020 not able to go ahead, I set about harnessing my teaching skills to develop a crosscurricular (Humanities) Scheme of Work that could be taught to Key Stage 2 and 3 students. The eight lesson ‘Cultivate Scheme of Discovery’ will provide young people an opportunity to learn about our agri-food industry in a fun and interactive way by cultivating an interest in environmental stewardship, farming heritage, modern day farming, sustainable food production, seasonality, food provenance and food security. Furthermore, it aims to highlight the relevance that food and farming plays in our daily lives while cultivating a connection with our local area and the natural world. Through our Cultivate Young Minds initiative, we will continue to develop further Cultivate pathway opportunities for our young people and drive a greater interest in the agri-food industry as a career option through our Cultivate Project Trident and Sixth Form Cultivate Enrichment experiences. At such a critical time, our Cultivate Young Minds initiative places ‘Agri-Food Education’, ‘Community’ and ‘Collaboration’ at the grassroots for our current and future global generations. Our vision is that when Education, Government and the Agri-Food Industry work together for one common purpose, then a dynamic, sustainable, innovative and passionate agri-food community will continue to grow for generations to come.

“As part of my

role, I have had the opportunity to connect with Jersey’s dynamic agri-food community who grow rear, catch and cook our local food

If you are curious to learn more you can explore the Cultivate Scheme of Discovery at www.royaljersey.

co.uk/learning-resources

If you are a teacher who would like to discuss using our local Cultivate Scheme of Discovery to explore and develop a ‘sense of place’ with your students, please email

jess@royaljersey.co.uk

Local producers are partners, season after glorious season

We actively look to stock our shelves with local products and are proud to have local producers as partners, in many cases for years and years. Buying locally is good for Jersey’s economy, environment and countryside around us, and the next generation of local producers.