Members were joined by NFU Chief Education Manager Josh Payne for an interactive session before finding out about the education initiatives offered by the farm park, outside Basildon in Essex. They also received a unique insight into the farm business鈥� history and its ethos from Barleylands owner Peter Philpot.
Josh took members through the , including its virtual lessons, its science challenge and sending trained Farmers for Schools into secondary school assemblies.聽
The group also had a go at answering difficult questions that pupils had posed, including 'why do farmers drench the countryside in chemicals?' and 'what do farmers think of vegans?'
Barleylands Education Officer Paula Groves then took the group to watch a 鈥榗ow to cone鈥� session, where children were finding out about dairy farming while making ice cream.
Afterwards, Peter showed them the education facilities and outlined how the family business developed from just 10 acres on Potton Island in 1937. With careful strategic planning, land management and business diversification, the Philpot family now farms on land in Essex and Suffolk, and three generations are involved.
The 60-plus diversifications range from container and battery storage, solar panels and business units to digger training, football golf and even pigeon racing.
Peter鈥檚 advice included checking the farm鈥檚 financial position every day and chasing any debts once a week. He also stressed the importance of looking after your staff.
Education focus for member development group
23 June 2025
The member development group with Peter Philpot at Barleylands in Basildon, Essex
Food and farming education took centre stage when NFU East鈥檚 member development group headed to .
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