Almost one-and-a-half-thousand children from across Devon had a chance to get acquainted with where their food comes from at a huge event organised by the county council.

Farmwise saw 1,400 children from 32 schools heading to Westpoint near Exeter to find out how food goes from field to fork.

The event, sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers, gave children the chance to enjoy practical and hands on tasks through 12 educational zones including Beef, Fruit, Forestry, Dairy and Arable.

Now in its fifth year, the programme has reached around 18,900 children across Devon at its October events and at the last three Devon County Shows. And now it is spreading its message even further, launching a dedicated training course for teachers in spring 2018.

Outgoing Farmwise Chairman John Lee said: “We’re giving teachers and schools resources to take Farmwise into the classroom so that its messages will live on throughout the year.”

Children attending this October’s Farmwise event got to get their hands dirty through numerous activities including planting potatoes, making pies and milking a pretend cow.

Nine-year-old Maple from Cornwood Church of England Primary School attended Farmwise with her classmates. She said: “We went to visit the cows and chickens and then we went to the pigs and we saw a dead pig and the types of the body [a pork carcass with the cuts of meat marked]. I knew where bacon came from already. I didn’t mind the dead pig.”

Ten Devon County Council tenant farmers along with Bicton College students and members of the Young Farmers Club were on hand at the event to explain all aspects of farming.

Devon Young Farmers Club chairman Claire Bellew said events like Farmwise Devon are vital to communicate positive messages around farming. Claire said: “The main thing is to educate the public on where their food comes from.

"As young farmers, we are involved with food and the rural environment. It is a chance to talk to young people before they make career choices. And at this age, it’s ideal as they’re so enthusiastic and excited.”

Chairman of Devon County Council’s Farms Estate Cllr Caroline Chugg said the event helped bridge the gap between the farmer and consumer. She said: “This is one of the most important days we get to promote farming and agriculture to both urban and rural children, to give them knowledge of how food is produced.

"If you inspire the kids here, you don’t know if they will get into agriculture. We’ve got many tenants here on the stands helping to promote what they do. The tenants are one of the main stays of the event.”