A PROJECT to connect city children with farming is taking place in Devon. 

The Woodland Trust is working with Farms For City Children (FFCC) on a scheme to create 'roundels' on farms. These 'roundels' will be temporary enclosures containing trees and shrubs that will allow cattle to forage and browse, while also finding shelter. 

Each of the 'roundels' that will be dotted across a field at Nethercott Farm, near Winkleigh, will be planted and cared for by a visiting school. 

Eleanor Lewis, outreach manager at the Woodland Trust, said: “This is a really special project.

“Even though we increasingly know the vital role trees and shrubs play for both habitat and animal welfare, it can be tricky to integrate them into farming systems. Rather than planting isolated trees which is expensive due to the protective fencing, by grouping trees and shrubs Roundels create a more immediate canopy, for a significantly lower price per tree, whilst also providing numerous benefits including shade, shelter and food.

“It’s great that we can involve kids with such an innovative project. There can be a real disconnect between people and nature.  This project aims to break down those barriers. This project will provide a place for children to connect with nature and have pride with what they have created. In time we hope it inspires them to develop a love for the natural world which is so important when you consider the bigger issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.”

Farm operations manager, Adam Bratt, explained that roundels are created around a central tree. The shrubs around the edges will create a more 'instant' habitat that will be occupied by the tree in 75 to 100 years. 

The Woodland Trust is funding the trees for the project which is part of their Trees for Your Farm project, backed by Sainsburys. All trees are sourced and grown in the British Isles via the Woodland Trust’s UKISG scheme.

Donna Marie Edmonds, chief executive of FFCC, added: “This is something very tangible for a young person. To know that they are doing good for their planet, for the farm, for the animals, for the nature that exists all around, and for the future generations of children who will make a visit to the charity from that same school community – that is something very special. You are helping us to create legacy impact. This might just be the activity completed on the farm that sets a young person on a future path that brings them into a career in agriculture or conservation.

“I am hopeful that establishing trees (and specifically wood pasture habitat) on our farm will benefit our livestock, local biodiversity and have a lasting impact on our visiting young people.  Working with Mick from the Woodland Trust and the Trees for Your Farm project team has allowed us to receive the technical and financial support to trial an innovative way of establishing trees and we are excited to see the benefits of this project develop over time!"