Free for schools
2,000 children annually. Wheat to bread in their hands.
Rural education connecting children with where their food comes from. Supported by sponsors who see the value in the next generation understanding agriculture.
Education
For Schools
Why it matters
We've moved away to plastic wrappers. That's where children think food comes from. Not farms. Not soil. Not livestock.
One teaching assistant asked: "At what point in a chicken's life does it turn into a turkey?"
That's not ignorance. That's disconnection. And it's not just the children.
What we offer
Hands-on agricultural education. Not worksheets. Not lectures. Not a quick look at some sheep.
The wheat to bread programme: Children handle raw wheat. Mill it. Learn how flour is made. Make their own pizza. Eat it for lunch. That pizza came from wheat they touched. They'll remember that.
Meeting livestock: Pigs. Explain that's where the bacon sandwich on Saturday morning starts. Cattle. Sheep. Poultry. Real animals. Real farmers explaining real farming.
Farm machinery: Big equipment most children have never seen. Operated by people who use it every day.
Where food comes from: Farm to table. Wheat to bread. Animal to plate. UK food production capacity. Why it matters. Why farmers matter.
The programme is free. Supported by the Driffield Agricultural Society itself as well as sponsorship, grants, land-based businesses. Food growers. Agricultural suppliers. They fund it because they want the next generation to understand where food comes from - and because some of those children will become the next generation of farmers.
Curriculum & common themes
- Food origins and sustainability
- UK agriculture and horticulture
- Science (plant growth, animal care, food production)
- Geography (land use, farming communities)
- Design and Technology (food preparation, cooking)
Hands-on experience that sticks. Not just knowledge for a test.
Teacher testimonials
We had a great day, it was great to see so many local businesses getting involved to help educate and inspire the next generation, thank you to all the organisers and volunteers
The Pumpkin Patch
All our children had a brilliant day, such a great experience and exposure to farming. Thank you
Laura Blake – Bellfield Primary School
Before our visit, one of my pupils genuinely thought milk was made in a factory. After a morning with the cattle and a proper farmer explaining how a dairy herd works, that same child was asking questions I couldn't have answered myself. The programme does something a classroom simply can't.
Mr Thompson, Primary School Teacher
Logistics
Capacity: Currently one annual education day. Approximately 2,000 children participate. We're looking at doing more throughout the year.
Duration: Full school day
Cost: Free. Sponsored.
Transport: We provide transport to the site, the facilities and the programme.
Supervision: Your teachers and teaching assistants supervise students. Our programme staff and sponsors deliver activities.
Safety: Driffield Agricultural Society takes the health and safety of all visitors seriously; our Schools Education Day is fully risk-assessed, stewarded throughout, and designed to give pupils a safe and enjoyable hands-on experience of the countryside.
Facilities: Toilet facilities. Covered areas for poor weather. Space for 2000 kids proves we can handle groups.
Age range: Primary school focus. KS2
Register Your Interest
Education Interest
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Sponsorship
For Sponsors
Why sponsor education?
Access to the next generation. Hand-in-hand partnership. Support that means something.
What sponsors get
Connection to 2,000 children annually — students who might choose agriculture, horticulture, land-based careers. That's your future workforce. Your future customers. The people who'll understand what you do.
Access to education day activities — Sponsors don't just fund the programme. They participate. Meet students interested in agriculture. Talk about careers. Show what's possible in farming and land-based industries.
Visibility — Your business associated with agricultural education. Website, marketing materials, show day presence. Recognition as someone who's invested in the community.
Hand-in-hand partnership — You support us by funding the education programme. We support you by bringing students who want to learn about agriculture. Both benefit.
Corporate social responsibility aligned with your industry — If you're looking at corporate social responsibility, this makes sense for land-based businesses. Supporting agricultural education connects directly to your industry - feels more natural than most CSR programmes.
Who sponsors
Land-based businesses. Agricultural suppliers. Food growers. Big agricultural machinery operators. Charitable trusts focused on farming and rural communities.
Sponsors provide funding. They get students interested in agriculture. They're helping educate the next generation while identifying future talent.
Sponsorship packages
Education programme sponsorship is available at different levels.
Contact us to discuss what fits your business and what you want to achieve.
Contact:
Email: office@driffieldshowground.co.uk
Phone:01377 257494
The pipeline works
From Education Day to Young Farmers to Members
Children come to education day at primary school. Some get interested in agriculture. Some join Young Farmers (ages 13-25). Some stay involved and become members when they age out of Young Farmers at 25.
That's what this looks like when it works. Education day to Young Farmers to career in agricultural sector. Full circle.
Young Farmers isn't run by the showground - it's a separate organisation. But we're connected. Members of the Driffield Agricultural Society include Young Farmers alumni. Volunteers who steward the show include people who came through Young Farmers. The community overlaps.
If you're aged 13-25 and interested in agriculture, look up Young Farmers in your area. If you're over 25 and want to stay connected to the agricultural community, consider membership here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the education programme cost?
Free for schools. The programme is supported by sponsors - land-based businesses and charitable trusts who fund it because they want children to understand where food comes from.
How many children can you accommodate?
Approximately 2,000 children participate in our annual education day. We're looking at expanding to more dates throughout the year. Contact us to discuss your school's needs.
What age range is the programme suitable for?
Primary school focus KS2. Activities are hands-on and designed to be engaging for children who may have never visited a farm.
How does this link to curriculum requirements?
Food origins and sustainability. UK agriculture. Science (plants, animals, food production). Geography (land use, farming). Design and Technology (food preparation). Hands-on learning that reinforces curriculum topics through real experience.
What do children actually do during the visit?
Wheat to bread programme — they handle raw wheat, mill it, make pizza, eat it. Meet livestock — pigs, cattle, sheep, poultry with real farmers explaining farming. See farm machinery. Learn where food comes from through hands-on activities, not lectures.
Do teachers need agricultural knowledge to bring their class?
No. Our programme staff and sponsors deliver the activities. Your teachers supervise students. We've had teaching assistants attend who didn't know agricultural basics — that's why this programme exists.
What facilities are available for school groups?
Toilet facilities. Covered areas for activities if weather is poor. We accommodate 2,000 children on education day — we can handle school group needs.
How do we book?
Fill in the booking form on this page, emailoffice@driffieldshowground.co.uk, or call01377 257494. We'll discuss available dates, your group size, and any specific requirements.
I attended the annual Driffield Show yesterday. It was a great event on, thankfully, a dry, hot day. Very well organised in every aspect. It was a small queue to park but straight out in the afternoon as there were plenty of marshals. All staff were helpful, so it made it a pleasant day out with lots to see. Very unusually, there were plenty of clean toilets. I will be back next year.
Ann James
The showground always has some great happening whether it's a game and country fair, Steam show or land rover show always worth popping to one of their events.
Billy Wilding
Great large one day show. Plenty to see and do. Looking forward to 2026. We had a great time and met up with old friends on a wonderful sunny day.
Simon Ferretworld
Book your school visit
2,000 children annually learn where their food comes from. Join them.
Schools: Fill in the booking form above or contact us
Sponsors: Discuss partnership opportunities
