A DAIRY FARM near Evesham which hosts learning visits for youngsters has built a new outdoor classroom thanks to a £23,000 grant.
Husband and wife Rob and Emma Harrison have been running outdoor learning visits at Sandfield Farm since 2009.
The couple were able to build a new outdoor classroom after successfully applying for a grant from the Worcestershire LEADER Programme.
Youngsters who visit the farm, including pre-schools, holiday clubs and youth clubs, as well as children who have special educational needs, learn about the countryside, farming and the environment.
Mr Harrison said: “The visitor room will increase the opportunities for the visitors to come throughout the year and to host larger groups. More visitors on the farm will increase employment levels and turnover.
“We applied for a LEADER grant without any help from a consultant. It was a huge amount of work but the LEADER team were very supportive and guided us in the right direction.
“The application form helped firm up our ideas and create a detailed business plan. Without the LEADER grant, our business would have created an asset on a much smaller scale, which would not have bought the benefits of such increased turnover.”
Anyone interested in applying for a LEADER grant should visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/LEADER
or call Programme Manager Katie Ainsworth on 01905 843992.
