Farm to open education centre for children

Kate Bigwood with shoulder-length blonde hair and a blue jumper squatting alongside David Gooden, who is bald and has a thick beard. They are next to a large black and white pig called Pepper.Image source, Kate Bigwood
Image caption,

The education programme started in 2023

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A new education centre is set to open to help children understand why it is important to farm in an environmentally friendly way.

The classroom at the Big Wood Estate in Lingfield, Surrey, is due to open on Saturday.

The mixed farm, which covers 270 acres, aims to operate in a way that protects the natural environment.

Farm owner Kate Bigwood told BBC Radio Surrey: "It’s about trying to teach young people about connecting to food, nature and farming."

Although the education programme started in 2023, the new classroom has been constructed recently thanks to a grant.

"We just need to start teaching other people how to start thinking and doing things differently."

Ms Bigwood said the aim was to farm "with and alongside nature".

"It’s not them or us," she explained.

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