Natural England
How much will be paid
290 per visit.
Where to use this option
It is available for Higher Tier
How this option will benefit the environment
It lets school pupils visit the farm for educational experiences and allows for care farming visits.
Visitors can use the Farm visit evaluation form to give feedback.
Requirements
You must:
- carry out a health and safety check and prepare a risk assessment for the farm, then give this to potential group leaders
- fill in the online Farm Facts Template for the farm within 3 months of the start of the agreement
- carry out enough promotion so that at least 1 and at most 25 group visits happen every year
- make sure the tour of the farm lasts at least 2 hours and is conducted by a member of farm staff or volunteer who suits the visitors needs
- make sure the tour explains the links between farming, conservation and food production using the agreement land as a classroom
- fill in the online Farm visit evaluation form for each visit claimed. These must be submitted to RPA no later than 31 January following the claim year.
Do not:
- charge for visits
- receive any other direct income from government funds relating to the educational visit
Keeping records
You must keep the following records and send them with your claim:
- copies of the standard farm visit evaluation form - as visits may take place after the annual claim deadline, RPA will accept valid forms until 31 January following the claim year.
- copy of the farm facts leaflet for the first claim.
Related options
You can locate this option with all other options, items and supplements.
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this option
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
Get letters of support
When you apply for this option you should supply letters of support from 3 or more local schools or care service providers (such as care homes, mental health care providers).
The letters must show a wish to visit the farm for educational experiences.
Carrying out visits
You can use all or part of the farm for visits and can use neighbouring land if it offers additional benefit.Visits should aim to last at least 2 hours and involve at least 6 attendees. There is no upper restriction on visitor numbers or length of time a visit lasts.
These groups and individuals are eligible for visits:
- schools and other educational establishments for children from birth to the end of Key Stage 4 (age 16)
- care farming parties or individuals
You must not split parties into smaller groups and present claims for each group. You can split parties for the tours, but you can only claim one visit for the total number of visitors on the holding at the same time.
This is still the case if the visitors come from different establishments.
Further information
You can find useful information on how to host a farm visit on the following websites:
- Visit My Farm has resources for land managers to support educational visits, ideas for successful visits, health and safety information and suggestions on how to maximise visitor numbers and enjoyment
- Social Farms & Gardens offers support and resources on the therapeutic use of farms
- LEAF Education educates children and young people about food and farming in a sustainable countryside
- Linking Environment and Farming works to build public understanding of food and farming
See the Higher Tier manual to find out more about the scheme and how to apply.