As part of our 50 voices series, we chatted to Bethany Greenshields about her childhood visits to Wick Court and the lasting impression they left. Beth visited twice with Offham Primary School in Kent and still remembers the animals, the laughter and getting stuck into farm life. Now an equine science lecturer, she can look back and see how those early experiences became part of a much bigger story.
A school farm visit to Wick Court that stayed with me
I went to Wick Court twice with Offham Primary School in Kent, once in Year 3 and again in Year 6. I loved it so much the first time that going back felt really exciting.
I grew up in a rural village, so I wasn’t completely unfamiliar with the countryside. But I wasn’t from a farming background. We had pet rabbits and I’d always loved animals, but I’d never had much to do with farm animals before. That’s what made Wick Court feel so special. It gave me the chance to really experience farm life for myself.
Looking back, I still remember the building, the feeling of being away with friends and the excitement of doing something completely different from everyday life.
Hands-on farm learning with animals and daily jobs
What I remember most is how hands-on it all was. You weren’t just standing on the sidelines watching. I was involved.
I remember grooming horses, moving cows, feeding chickens and being part of the everyday routine. As a child, that feels exciting. You feel trusted. You feel useful. You feel like what you’re doing matters.
One thing that has definitely stayed with me all these years is what we always called the “river of poo”. We visited another dairy farm and all we seemed to talk about afterwards was scraping muck across the yard. Not something the children might do now, I guess. Looking back, I’m not sure how much help we really were. However, we had a brilliant time doing it.
It’s funny what sticks in your mind, but I think that memory says a lot about what made the trip so memorable. I was allowed to get fully involved. It was messy, funny and completely different from normal school life, which is probably why it has stayed with me for so long.
Why farm visits help children understand food and farming
That’s what I think is so valuable about experiences like this. Children are given real responsibility. It’s not just about looking at animals from a distance. You help care for them, help with the jobs, get involved in where food comes from and how a farm works.
Those are the things that stay with you
That is because you have actually done them. Not every child gets that opportunity. Some might not have outdoor space, gardens or animals at home. Others might live in rural places but still never get the chance to be this involved. A week on a farm gives children something different. It gives them confidence, responsibility and memories that last.
I also think it’s really important for children to understand where food comes from. Whether that’s caring for animals or growing vegetables that then end up being cooked and eaten, it helps make those connections real. It’s one thing to be told about food and farming in a classroom, but it’s very different when you’ve actually been part of it.
From loving animals to teaching equine science
I’d always loved animals and when I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a vet. Horses came into my life a bit later. I started riding when I was about ten and used to spend my pocket money on lessons because I didn’t want to give up any of my other activities. Later, I volunteered at a local riding school and became more and more horsey from there.
Looking back, I can see that my time at Wick Court became part of a thread running through my life. It was one of those early experiences that helped grow a lasting love of animals, practical work and being outdoors.
After school, I studied Bioveterinary science at university in Shropshire. I chose equine-focused options whenever I could, worked on a stud farm after graduating and now leads the equine and canine programmes at the University Centre Reaseheath. When I look back, I can see those little experiences all joining up.
The lasting impact of outdoor learning for children
Looking back now, I can see how important those weeks were. At the time, it just felt fun and exciting and different, being away with friends, looking after animals and doing things we’d never normally get to do.
Years later, I can see that it was part of something much bigger.
For me, Wick Court was one of those experiences that stayed with me. It gave me memories I still smile about, but it also gave me something more than that: a sense of confidence, responsibility and connection to animals and the outdoors that has carried on through my life.
Visit us
Bethany’s story is a lovely reminder that time on the farm can stay with children long after they head home. From caring for animals and getting hands-on with daily jobs to discovering where food comes from, a visit to Farms for City Children gives children the chance to grow in confidence, responsibility and curiosity. Find out more about visiting our farms.
