Around 35,000 pupils across Sweden took part in this year’s ‘Bonden i skolan’ weeks, giving schoolchildren an opportunity to learn more about farming and how food travels from farm to table.
The initiative, organised by LRF, reached pupils in 232 of Sweden’s 290 municipalities this spring. Despite being in its third year, the programme continues to attract new audiences: around 60% of participating teachers had not previously used Bonden i skolan in their teaching.
LRF’s evaluation shows that factual articles and videos were particularly popular. Films featuring farm visits with Swedish chef and television personality Dante Zia became favourites among pupils, with teachers reporting that children eagerly looked forward to the next episode. In the videos, Zia visits farms to help pupils learn more about how food is produced.
Teachers also highlighted how the combination of films and factual material helped spark curiosity, encourage classroom discussion and give pupils a better understanding of Swedish agriculture and food production.
“Pupils have been able to learn in a varied and engaging way. The combination of films and factual texts has sparked curiosity, created good discussions and made it easier for pupils to understand how farming and food production work,” one teacher said.
As in previous years, the programme concluded with a competition. Five classes won a farm visit, giving pupils the chance to experience Swedish agriculture first-hand and see how food is produced in practice.
LRF is now encouraging local farmers to get involved in next year’s Bonden i skolan activities. Planning will begin this autumn.