Houghton Farm School Trip

A visit to Houghton Farm enables students to experience food production for themselves. By linking sustainable farming techniques which focus on improving the health of the soil, and caring for the environment, to the importance of healthy nutritious food, students appreciate the importance of making informed food choices as conscious consumers. Arable crops and beef cattle provide locally sourced recipe inspiration.

Students visiting Houghton Farm have the opportunity to spend time with Tim, the Farmer, and learn about the role of the Farmer. With cattle, arable crops, numerous conservation projects, which include the care of woodlands, water meadows and wildflower meadows, there is plenty to experience and learn about. There is the opportunity to explore the farm using a tractor and trailer, and experience the splendour of the south downs landscape from the very top of the downs.
The links between the farm and food production are easily accessible, with students able to grind wheat and make their own flour, meet the cows and learn about their care and their role in helping Tim to manage the farm. Regenerative farming focuses on ensuring that the farm has a sustainable future, with a focus on soil health enabling farmers to grow healthier food for us, and students will be able to see this for themselves as they explore the organic matter in soil across the farm, why does it vary so much?

Students visiting Houghton Farm have the opportunity to spend time with Tim, the Farmer, and learn about the role of biology on the farm. With water meadows, the River Arun, arable fields, woodland, permanent pasture and herbal leys, there are many different habitats and ecosystems to explore.

The farm provides the perfect setting for students to enjoy minibeast hunts, learn about the farming year and how it benefits local wildlife.

Regenerative farming encourages biodiversity as farmers use plant adaptations and consciously work with nature to improve soil health and grow nutritionally healthier food. The beef herd provide the perfect opportunity for students to learn about different digestive systems, DNA, anatomy, selective breeding and evolution.

Students visiting Houghton Farm can learn about the role of geography on the farm. With water meadows, the River Arun, arable fields, woodland, permanent pasture and herbal leys, the farm provides the perfect opportunity for a variety of different fieldwork activities: the impact of the weather, role of renewable energy, strategies to combat climate change and the reality of conservation and sustainable practices in the process of managing the countryside and growing enough food to feed a growing population.

Students visiting Houghton Farm have the opportunity to spend time with Tim, the Farmer, and learn about the role of the Farmer. With cattle, arable crops, numerous conservation projects, which include the care of woodlands, water meadows and wildflower meadows, there is plenty to experience and learn about. There is the opportunity to explore the farm using a tractor and trailer, and experience the splendour of the south downs landscape from the very top of the downs.

Visits to the farm can really help students to understand the carbon and nitrogen cycle as they can see it in action, and learn how farmers are working to reduce their impact on the environment and develop sustainable farming practices which benefit the many habitats that they care for.