A Moray farmer has won a prestigious award for his work educating children about food and farming.
Martin Birse, the farm manager at Pitgaveny Farms, Elgin, is the recipient of this year’s Council for Learning Outside the Classroom lifetime achievement award.
The award aims to recognise an individual or team of people who have made a significant impact on the lives of children and young people through their commitment and dedication to providing inspiring learning outside the classroom opportunities.
He was nominated for the award by the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI) – a rural education charity operating across Moray, Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire.
Mr Birse has been working with the charity for more than 10 years and has been on its board of directors since 2006. He is currently the charity’s treasurer and previously served as its chairman and vice-chairman.
As well as being involved with RNCI, Mr Birse is a board member of the Royal Highland Education Trust and REAP Scotland, which is a local environmental and sustainable development charity.
In the past academic year, he has hosted nearly 350 schoolchildren to Pitgaveny Farms, which he has managed since 1986, as well as holding an open farm day in May which saw more than 3,000 members of the public visit the farm to learn about where their food comes from.
He says every farm visit is enjoyable and rewarding and he takes “great delight in seeing the look on the faces of children when they get to see young animals close up”.
Commenting on his award win, Mr Birse said: “I would just like to thank all who supported me by voting in such numbers putting the work done by RNCI and RHET and other organisations in the forefront of outdoor learning.
“I am passionate about agriculture and possess a desire to pass this enthusiasm and knowledge on to others.
“I am lucky that I am in the position where I have the ability to take people up close to see the animals and machinery, and make the farm come alive for them. I feel that it’s my duty to educate people on the link between the food they eat and where it comes from.”
RNCI development officer Rachel Heydon said: “Martin’s enthusiasm always shines through. It’s clear to see that he takes delight in witnessing the pleasure that children get from the whole farm visit experience, particularly those who have never had the opportunity to see farm animals up close.”