Fifteen hundred primary school children from across Cornwall were greeted by the sights and sounds of the countryside when they visited the 2015 Farm & Country Days held at the Royal Cornwall showground, Wadebridge.

The two day event, jointly staged by the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association (RCAA) and the Cornwall Food & Farming Group, welcomed 750 pupils aged between seven and nine years of age on each day. The children and their teachers enjoyed a wide range of learning opportunities aimed at highlighting the journey food and drink products take from field to fork.

Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex visited the event during its second day in her capacity as President of the RCAA. The Countess spent time speaking to school pupils, teachers and the many stewards who facilitated the event.

The Countess also stopped off at many of the exhibits that form the event. These ranged from farm animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry, to farm machinery that is used to plant and harvest cereal crops and how the grain eventually ends up on the breakfast table.

There were also a range of Cornish food producers in attendance. Showing how locally grown and reared raw ingredients are turned into more familiar food and drink products. Hands-on activities saw the children juicing apples, pasty making with Warrens Bakery and baking bread with Baker Tom.

James Kittow, a fifth generation butcher and beef farmer from Fowey, was delighted to be able to share his butchery expertise with the children and feels the event provides a unique insight for those attending.

"It gives the children opportunity to see something that they wouldn't normally within the classroom." He said.

Seven-year-old Esta, a year 3 pupil from St Hilary School in Penzance was full of knowledge after the event. "We learnt that the mummy pigs, which are called sows, carry the baby pigs for 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days."

Classmate Caiden, aged eight, added. "I learned how to milk a cow - you can't just hold the bottom of the udder, you have to squeeze and let go, squeeze and let go!"

Their teacher, Kerenza Jelbert, felt the children gained a huge amount from the experience.

"As a farmer's daughter, it's in my make-up to know how the countryside works; it was quite illuminating seeing what the children in my class understand and had no clue about.

"Seeing the look of wonder on the children's faces when the chick hatched in front of their eyes was incredible! They have not stopped talking about it today!"

Gill Queen, year 3 teacher from St Martin's Church of England Primary School at Liskeard, added.

"The Food and Farming day was a brilliant experience for our children. They had the chance to try many new things and some of their highlights were milking cows, sorting eggs and shearing sheep.

"There was also the opportunity to learn about the land by looking at large machinery, handling different soils and planting seeds. Food tasting was particularly popular and fresh vegetables were tasted as well as milk and ice cream.

"Each activity was run by really knowledgeable people who related well to the children and who were only too happy to answer the many questions. The 'hands on' experiences meant it was a day full of learning in a really fun way. We have already booked for another year!"

RCAA Education & Media Manager, Steve Michell, paid tribute to the 400 volunteer exhibitors and stewards who manned the event.

"The event is simply not possible to run without the support of so many individuals, organisations and businesses who give their time freely and this year, our third running it, for two days.

"I think they all enjoy it just as much as the children and teachers, but they also see the huge need and value of educating the next generation about the links between farming and food production."

Summing up, eight-year-old Summer from Ladock Church of England School near Truro said.

"I've had the best day ever!"