Nominee Summary
The Border Union Agricultural Society Schools Countryside Day is an annual event for every Primary 5 pupil in the Scottish Borders. With more than 50 interactive exhibits and over 300 volunteers, it provides an engaging, hands-on learning experience about the countryside, farming, and local food production. A much-anticipated fixture in the school calendar, the event inspires young people by showcasing the wide range of organisations and careers that support rural life. Its commitment to education and connecting children with their local environment makes it a valuable educational event for the local children who attend.
The preservation of skills
The BUAS Schools Countryside Day plays a vital role in identifying and preserving the essential rural skills that are fundamental to the future of our countryside. By providing hands-on, engaging experiences for hundreds of school children each year, the event introduces young people to traditional and modern farming practices, livestock husbandry, food production, land management and environmental stewardship. Through interactive demonstrations led by farmers, agricultural professionals, craftspeople and rural organisations, children gain first-hand experience of skills that might otherwise be unfamiliar to them. Activities such as sheep shearing, wool handling, livestock care, machinery demonstrations and countryside management, and learning about where food comes from help connect pupils with the knowledge, expertise and values that have been passed down through generations. Schools Countryside Day also highlights how rural skills continue to evolve, showcasing innovation, sustainability and the use of modern technology alongside traditional practices. This balanced approach helps young people understand that agriculture is a dynamic industry with exciting career opportunities while reinforcing the importance of protecting rural heritage. By inspiring curiosity, encouraging respect for the countryside and fostering meaningful connections between schools and the agricultural community, Schools Countryside Day ensures that vital rural knowledge is actively passed on to the next generation. Its long-term commitment to education helps secure the future of rural skills, supporting both the agricultural industry and the wider rural economy.
Increasing awareness
The Border Union Agricultural Society Schools Countryside Day has significantly increased awareness of rural skills and education by giving young people a unique, hands-on introduction to agriculture, food production and the wider rural economy. By bringing together farmers, land managers, food producers, craftspeople, emergency services and countryside organisations, the event delivers engaging learning experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom. Each year, approximately 1,200 Primary 5 pupils from every primary school across the Scottish Borders, from Eyemouth to West Linton, attend the event. Since its launch in 2013, Schools Countryside Day has welcomed more than 14,000 children, creating a lasting educational impact across the region. Through interactive demonstrations and practical activities, pupils learn about livestock care, crop production, agricultural machinery, environmental conservation, food production and the diverse careers available within the rural sector. They also develop an understanding of sustainability, animal welfare and responsible land management. For many children, this is their first meaningful experience of farming and the countryside. By enabling pupils to meet rural professionals, ask questions and participate in practical learning, the event challenges misconceptions, inspires future career aspirations and fosters lasting respect for the skills and expertise that sustain rural communities. In doing so, Schools Countryside Day is helping ensure that vital rural knowledge and skills continue to be valued and passed on to future generations.
Ethical/environmental standards
The BUAS Schools Countryside Day is built on strong partnerships with the local rural community. The event brings together farmers, agricultural businesses, conservation organisations, rural charities, emergency services and local producers, ensuring that children learn directly from those who live and work in the Scottish Borders. More than 300 volunteers generously give their time each year, reflecting the community's shared commitment to educating the next generation about rural life. Environmental responsibility is embedded throughout the event. Exhibitors promote sustainable farming, biodiversity, responsible land management, animal welfare and the importance of protecting natural resources. Children are encouraged to understand where their food comes from, how it is produced responsibly and the role that farming plays in caring for the environment. By combining ethical farming practices, environmental education and strong community involvement, Schools Countryside Day demonstrates how rural organisations can work together to inspire young people while supporting local businesses, protecting the countryside and strengthening connections between communities and the land that sustains them.
Noteworthy improvements
The Border Union Agricultural Society Schools Countryside Day has continually improved its educational impact by adapting to meet the changing needs of pupils, schools and the rural sector. Over the years, the event has grown to feature more than 50 interactive exhibits, representing a wider range of agricultural, environmental and rural organisations. This has broadened children's understanding of the diverse skills, careers and opportunities available within the countryside. The Society has worked closely with schools, exhibitors and volunteers to ensure the programme reflects current farming practices, environmental stewardship and food production, while continuing to celebrate traditional rural skills. This collaborative approach has strengthened the quality and relevance of the learning experience and maintained the event's reputation as an engaging and valued educational resource. To enhance learning beyond the event itself, the BUAS has developed curriculum-linked educational resources for teachers to use before and after Schools Countryside Day. These resources help prepare pupils for their visit and reinforce key learning through follow-up classroom activities. Feedback from teachers, pupils and exhibitors is used to refine and improve the event each year, ensuring it remains engaging, accessible and relevant. These ongoing improvements have strengthened the programme's educational value, deepened partnerships between schools and the rural community, and enhanced its ability to inspire young people to value agriculture, food production and countryside stewardship.
Overcoming Challenges
Delivering an event of this scale presents significant challenges each year. Coordinating more than 300 volunteers, over 50 exhibitors and every Primary 5 class across the Scottish Borders requires extensive planning, organisation and commitment. Ensuring the event remains free and accessible to schools while maintaining a high-quality educational experience is only possible through the continued support of volunteers, sponsors and partner organisations. Following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers worked hard to re-establish the event, rebuilding participation and ensuring children once again had the opportunity to experience hands-on learning about farming and rural life. Despite these challenges, the Border Union Agricultural Society Schools Countryside Day has continued to grow and thrive. Its success is built on the dedication of the local farming community, rural organisations and volunteers, whose shared commitment has ensured that generations of young people have gained a greater understanding of the countryside, food production and the importance of Scotland's rural industries. The event's longevity and continued popularity are a testament to the passion and collaboration of everyone involved.
