The King’s Foundation and the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Ayrshire and Arran have joined together to deliver our annual Festival of Farming on Wednesday the 13th and Thursday the14th of May 2026.
Welcoming 250 pupils each day, the event brings together Ayrshire primary schools to visit Valentin’s Education Farm on Dumfries House Estate and meet industry experts to understand the role food and farming play in creating a healthy planet for all. There will be opportunities for hands-on activities and time to meet some of our rare breed animals.
The event is designed for pupils in Primary four although we can accommodate P4/5 composite classes.
The objective is to increase children’s understanding of the food we eat and where it comes from, as well as their knowledge of other agricultural produce and practices.
School pupils will have the opportunity to take part in multiple activities throughout the day. Transport funding may be available through RHET for Ayrshire schools who meet their criteria. To find out more about this funding, please contact ayrshire@RHET.org.uk . This is always an extremely popular event. Please book now to avoid disappointment.
Booking Information
To ensure as many Ayrshire schools as possible have the opportunity to take part in this very popular event, each school may book one group of Primary 4 pupils (maximum 30).
If additional P4 classes within your school are also studying farming or rural skills as part of the curriculum, we would be delighted to support them through a separate visit. Schools can book a workshop by visiting our schools booking page or by contacting us at farm.education@kings-foundation.org. to enquire.
Timings
The activity sessions run from 10am until 2pm each day. A condition of booking is that pupils arrive on-site by 9.30am to allow for preparation before the first session.
If you would like further information on this event before booking, please contact farm.education@kings-foundation.org