LEAF announces education and public engagement appointment
Following the merger between LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) and FACE (Farming and Countryside Education), LEAF has announced the appointment of Carl Edwards as its new Director, Education and Public Engagement.
Carl, who joins the sustainable farming charity today (24th August 2017), will plan, lead and execute LEAF’s ambitious education and public engagement strategy that will drive forward public understanding and demand for more sustainable food and farming and enable schools to enrich their curriculum.
Speaking on his appointment Carl, who was previously Faculty Leader for Humanities at Ibstock Community College, Leicestershire, said; "The future viability of UK farming relies on consumers, children and young people trusting and respecting what farming delivers.
"We must open their eyes to the whole industry of agriculture, what it delivers and how it impacts on every aspect of our daily lives. LEAF is already leading the way in this sector and its recent merger with FACE, building on all their work in bringing agriculture into schools, represents a powerful force for change. I am greatly looking forward to working with the LEAF team at this hugely exciting time.”
LEAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond, MBE, said: “Strengthening the connections between the public and agriculture has been key to LEAF’s work for more than 25 years, and it is now more important than ever. As we consolidate our activities with FACE, we are looking to create systemic changes in education and public engagement provision in farming.
"The combined strengths of our organisations pave the way to drive forward a collaborative approach within the food and farming industry for better public engagement and education for all. We are delighted to welcome Carl at this pivotal juncture and his wide experience at the ‘coal face’ of education will be invaluable as we embark upon the next step of our journey.”
Carl’s appointment comes ahead of the second LEAF Education and Public Engagement conference which takes place on Wednesday 20th September.
With many teenagers disconnected with the natural world around them, the conference will explore this worrying trend, based around the theme Feeding Fertile Minds. Engaging teenagers with farming, food and the environment.
The conference, which is free to attend, takes place at The Auditorium, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, Holborn, London and will bring together a range of experts including politicians and policy makers through to educationalists, health practitioners, farmers and conservationists to explore practical and effective solutions to better engage teenagers with farming, food and the natural environment.
