I’m still in denial that I’m about to leave this wonderful place and move on to another role. A 50 voices story is the perfect way to sign off.
I’m Stevie Edge-McKee, Farm School Manager at Wick Court and this is my 50 voices story. In my LinkedIn Post regarding finding my replacement, I recall saying: “The best job in the world is being advertised! Apply Now!” and I truly believe it! The next person who holds the role of Farm School Manager at Wick Court will be lucky indeed.
I’ve been in the role for five years and was appointed to re-start the farm for visitors following Covid-19. It’s hard to reflect on what’s been achieved in that time as when you are in amongst it every day. The developments have been through slow and consistent hard work from a team that continue to inspire me.
We’ve seen 166 weeks of residentials since then, welcomed 4,844 young people and 635 group adults. We’ve also stewarded the land and brought back the glory of Wick Court as it was before the pandemic closed the farm down.
Bringing Wick Court back to life
I started the role just 20 working days before the first schools returned. Was the site ready?! No, it was not! All freezers were full of food that could not be saved, the house full of bedding that required laundering; only inhabited by insects and the occasional newt and mouse! And the garden; the Garden!!!
You can imagine what becomes of a glorious vegetable garden with no gardener and the hot summer of 2020 and 2021. Stuart Cragg, our now Farm Operations Manager started in late September 2021 to discover a jungle and with the help of our volunteers transformed it into the productive food growing space that we see today.
That’s no mean feat, the garden remains a labour of love and every buttered potato or honey-glazed carrot is testament to the toil of our staff, volunteers and visiting children. Squirrels had enjoyed sole occupation of the bird hide and we welcomed back some faithful volunteers to bring the children to the site safely. But we also recruited new people; people who brought about renewed energy and creative ideas to a historic site.
The power of learning outdoors
The programme of activities that we run now draws on the teams’ expertise in sustainable farming, ecology and horticulture. We’re increasingly experienced in creating an inclusive environment for all visitors, particularly proficient in working with children and young people who may find the school classroom and curriculum challenging.
And in addition to the day to day running of the farm, looking after the visitors and the animals, staff at Farms for City Children have an important role in advocating for the power of learning in a practical and outdoor setting. I’m more convinced than ever that just as our ancestors evolved alongside nature, modern humans require a connection with the natural world for their health and wellbeing to flourish. I personally believe the rise in mental health challenges and the decrease in nature connection aren’t unrelated and so the importance of the work of Farms for City Children grows.
Taking the story beyond Wick Court’s gates
I’ve been honoured to have represented the work of Farms for City Children at events with a national audience. Speaking about the relationship between children and insects at the Nature Connection Conference in 2024, discussing the potential of diversifying the labour workforce in agricultural at the Women in Dairy conference in 2025 and speaking on Islamic Radio about the power of a farm residential.
In that time I’ve also had the pleasure of traveling around the UK to see other sites doing equally important work through the OWL project. I still have some important projects in the diary. In September we will be taking a small part of the farm to the Savoy Hotel in London as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations and on 19th Sept we will be celebrating 50 years of Farms for City Children and 500 years of history at Wick Court in a food and farming festival.
One area of work I’m most proud of is my role as custodian our IDEA work; supporting passionate and committed colleagues to celebrate the amazing work that we do to make our offer Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable and Accessible.
Looking back whilst looking forward
As I reflect back on my five years at Farms for City Children, it feels pertinent that the charity is looking back at its 50 years – and looking forward too, to what the next 50 years may bring. Those of us lucky enough to be managing the land now will probably never get to see the newly planted woodland, due in the ground this winter, come to maturity. But our actions are firmly rooted in ensuring the sustainability of this site for visiting children and adults beyond our own lifetimes.
And in looking back, the last 50 years have seen huge changes in the approach to sustainability farming practices. Wick Court has always been a front runner in this. Before us the Dowdeswell family actively pushed away pressures of large scale commercial practices. If I look back over last 25 years of Farms for City Children management of the land, you can see the same passion for nature friendly farming. It’s my hope that Wick Court will continue to be managed for the birds and and bats. I hope it remains a place of education and inspiration for even more people.
I’m so proud to have been able to contribute to the work of this charity and am excited to see what comes next for it.
Understanding and demonstrating our impact
Farms for City Children has got some exciting projects on the horizon and I’m particularly interested to hear about the developments in the impact assessment work. The charity has long known and seen the impact of a week stay on one of our farms. Like all environmental engagement charities the challenge is to capture and measure this impact, for funders, for policy makers, to the senior leaders in schools and youth groups that book a residential.
Not going too far
I hope to remain in close contact with my FfCC colleagues (and friends) and watch with pride as the farms continue to flourish. And I won’t be moving far away. In my new role as Head of Learning, Operations and Partnerships (south) at the Ernest Cook Trust, an existing partner of Farms for City Children, I hope to continue to work with charity. And I’ve just promised the children on Walton Youth and Community Project from Liverpool that I’ll come back to see them next July when they return to Wick Court.
A place I will always carry with me
I’ve been the custodian of this wonderful place for a while and only hope that the next custodian has the same joy as I’ve had. This place, which has been transformed since the pandemic, and that has the potential to transform lives of young people, has transformed me! I’ll carry it with me always.
If Stevie’s story has inspired you to find out how your school could experience a week of farm-based learning with Farms for City Children please get in touch. From caring for animals and growing food to building confidence, connection and belonging, a residential stay gives children and young people the space to learn, grow and discover what they are truly capable of.
