A unique opportunity for children to learn about farming,

The annual event, which is closed to the general public, provides a unique opportunity for children to learn about farming, food production, and rural life.

Kids will have the chance to enjoy over 50 activities and demonstrations ranging from spinning, weaving, milking, beekeeping and auctions to sheep shearing and stick making.

Sustainability is the main theme for this year’s event and pupils will explore the importance of managing soils, forests, songbirds and protecting and enhancing the environment.

They will also learn about healthy eating, managing livestock, seasonal foods, and the importance of food miles.

This will be the fifth year that the Falago Environment Fund has supported the event.

The body shares the benefits of Fallago Rig Wind Farm in the Lammermuir Hills with projects across the Scottish Borders and is supported by Roxburghe Estates, Federated Hermes and EDF Renewables.

Speaking on behalf of the Valago Environment Trust said His Eminence, The Duke of Roxburgh; “Union Border Schools Country Day is a very important event as it provides an inspiring way for the children of the area to learn about the rural environment that surrounds them.

“We hope that they will return home with a new appreciation for a range of subjects, from agriculture and food production to protecting the rich natural assets of the frontier, and that they will be inspired by the wonderful diversity of rewarding jobs that the region has to offer. We are delighted that the Valago Environment Fund is able to use these funds generated by wind farms to support this extraordinary event.

As well as grant funding from the Valago Environment Trust, Border Union Schools’ Country Day is also supported by the Scottish Borders Council, Charity Starts at Home, BASF, Kelso Farmers Market, Grahams Family Dairy, Scottish Land & Estates, Sainsbury’s, Ford and Ital Estates.

said Peter Douglas, president of the Union Frontier Agricultural Society; This will be the eighth time we have hosted our Country Schools Day, and the event is now one of the four core events in the Association’s annual programme.

“It is a huge work of around 170 teachers and 150 supervisors as well as 250 people from organizations across the region, who provide hands-on activities and demonstrations that make this experience so memorable for children.

“We are so grateful to the Fallago Environment Trust and all of our supporters for helping us create this important annual showcase of rural life in the frontier.”

Valago Environment Fund grant applications are managed by Tweed Forum. They are assessed twice annually, with application deadlines of September 1 and March 1. More information can be found at www.tweedforum.org/fallago or by contacting the Tweed Forum on 01896 849723.