Pupils from St Madoes Primary School took their classroom to the countryside when they visited Nethermains Farm by kind permission of Stewarts of Tayside.

The trip was organised by The Royal Highland Education Trust Perth and Kinross as part of their ongoing mission to give every school pupil in Scotland the opportunity to learn about food, farming and the countryside.

Stewarts of Tayside, who primarily produce swedes, strawberries and raspberries, welcomed the pupils onto the farm and staff shared their enthusiasm and passion for local, fresh produce with the children.

Chairman Will Stewart, HR director Sheena Stewart, commercial director Michael Etherson, and fruit manager Irek Wypasek, along with Iceland Foods technologist Steve Mercer were on hand to talk to the children about the fruit production, swedes, crops produced, machinery and technology used and what happens with the finished product.

This was the first time that Stewarts of Tayside had hosted a school visit through RHET. Mr Stewart commented: “It was great to have pupils from a local primary school on the farm and to show them first hand where their food comes from. We have enjoyed working with RHET and are proud that we are playing our part in educating the next generation about food, farming and the countryside.”

RHET project co-ordinator Alix Ritchie said “Stewarts of Tayside provided a fantastic venue for the farm visit and had gone to a lot of trouble to make this a memorable visit for pupils and staff alike. Pupils were able to get a real insight into how some of the food they consume is produced in their local area. We are really grateful to the staff at Stewarts of Tayside for taking time to welcome the pupils to the farm at a busy time of year.”