Schools and The farm

Pwll Caerog Farm is a 98 hectare/250 acre working farm. Crops grown include potatoes, swedes, wheat, barley and fodder beet. Sheep, cattle and horses are also part of the farm's life.

Ian, the farmer, is passionate about the wildlife and conservation of the wonderful Pembrokeshire countryside he cares for. He is a fourth Generation Farmer on the St David's Peninsular. His Grandfather farmed Ramsey Island from 1934-1946. Ian has extensive historical knowledge of farming and of the local area. Ian is keen to enhance children's awareness of where their food comes from and how it is produced, through 'hands on' experience of life on the farm.

There is a diversity of wildlife including rare birds, mammals, flowers and insects. Some of the rough-land is a designated area of Special Scientific Interest. The farm is part of the Tir Gofal Environmental scheme and new habitats have been established as part of this initiative.

The farm has been occupied for many centuries and a Bronze Age Fort (Caer), can be found at the foot of the farm.

School groups visiting Pwll Caerog Farm have the opportunity to extend the National Curriculum by taking part in a number of environmental/ conservation activities.

The activities include hedge bank building and conservation, a guided tour of the farm and explanation of land use and sustainable issues - "From Field to Plate", and farm based orienteering/ shelter making.

The farm's position enables schools to promote marine ecology projects and freshwater/ seawater marine life comparisons. The farm has also been used for art projects and geography field trip studies. Students can investigate the diversification and changes that have occurred in farming on the St David's peninsular. (All of these areas fit well into the Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 curriculum.)

The Pembrokeshire National Park is often involved with schools visiting Pwll Caerog Farm. Educational projects have included opening bridle paths, beach cleaning and clearing open field areas.