The national Open Farms operation, proposed by the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA), was an opportunity for Magalie and Tony Lelong, based in Gonneville-le-Theil, to open their dairy farm to schoolchildren from the school of Hameau-Noblet, Provinces of Octeville, in Cherbourg (Manche).
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Raise children’s awareness of the agricultural world
“This type of operation aims to raise awareness among children about the work of farmers. If we can also encourage vocations, that would be a plus, explains Catherine Faivre-Pierret, member of the FDSEA. We need to have discussions on the ground so that the visual combines with the explanations. »
For Magalie Lelong, farmers must approach schools so that they can come to farms. “The problem lies in the cost of expensive transport to bear. » Present on site, Jean Rampon, the sub-prefect of Cherbourg, spoke on the subject: “At the state level, we can financially help schools located in priority neighborhoods for transportation. The ideal would be to meet rural and urban schools. »
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“Some have never seen a cow! »
For one day, the students discovered this farm where 500 cattle live, including 150 cows which produce milk. “We didn’t know that a cow ate 65 kg of food every day and drank 120 liters of water,” schoolchildren are surprised. “They don’t know the agricultural environment, indicates their teacher, Béatrice Lamotte. Some have never seen a cow and don’t know where the milk comes from even though they live in Cherbourg, close to the countryside! » According to her, we must break the image they have of a farm. “For many, they are chickens and rabbits. These kinds of visits help them a lot. »
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A real discovery
As for the schoolchildren, there are questions. Maylie, 10 years old, takes her first steps on a farm. “I am surprised to see cows like that, in the wild. We knew what this animal was like but we didn’t know how they lived. »
Wassim, 9 years old, is happy to see something other than chickens but is surprised by what he eats. “I didn’t know it was beef in our burgers, I didn’t know where the meat came from. »
After hearing from the children, Magalie Lelong is pleased to have taught the schoolchildren where their food comes from. “ As farmers, we are proud to transmit and feed the people! »
