The activity was organised to help young people better understand the role agriculture plays within Fife and Scotland’s economy while demonstrating the skills, knowledge and career opportunities available across the sector. Through direct engagement with industry professionals, pupils were able to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences and gain a first-hand understanding of life on a working farm.

Bringing Agriculture to Life

During the visit, pupils took part in a range of educational activities led by RHET Fife and farm staff. They learned about the daily responsibilities involved in managing a farm and explored the many factors required to operate a successful agricultural business.

A key focus of the visit was understanding the lifecycle of a beef cow, from birth through to food production. Learners were introduced to the processes involved in livestock farming, animal welfare considerations and the importance of sustainable food production.

The experience gave pupils the opportunity to see agriculture in action while gaining a greater appreciation of where food comes from and the people, technology and processes involved in bringing food to consumers.

Employer Engagement and Industry Insight

RHET Fife works closely with schools across Scotland to provide educational opportunities that connect young people with farming, food production and rural careers. Together with Hill Tarvit Farm, they enabled pupils to hear directly from industry professionals about the challenges and rewards of working within agriculture.

Farm staff shared their experiences and explained how modern farming combines practical skills with business management, sustainability planning, technology and financial decision-making. Pupils learned that a successful farm relies on a wide range of skills and career roles beyond traditional perceptions of farming.

The visit also highlighted the variety of career pathways available within the sector, including:

• Farming and land management
• Veterinary services
• Agricultural engineering
• Machinery operation
• Environmental science
• Business and financial management
• Food production and supply chains

Challenging Perceptions

One of the key aims of the visit was to broaden young people’s understanding of the agricultural industry and challenge common misconceptions about farming careers.

By experiencing a modern working farm and hearing directly from professionals, pupils gained a greater appreciation of the complexity of the sector and the important role it plays within local communities and the wider economy.

The visit helped learners recognise that agriculture offers a diverse range of opportunities requiring practical, scientific, technical and entrepreneurial skills.

What Young People Said

Feedback from pupils highlighted how much they valued the opportunity to visit a working farm and learn about an industry many had not previously explored.

“I didn’t realise how much work goes into producing food.”

“It was interesting to learn about all the different jobs involved in farming.”

“I learned a lot about where our food comes from.”

“Seeing the farm in person helped me understand how the business works.”

Staff described the visit as engaging, informative and highly valuable in helping young people learn about an important sector within the local economy.

Impact and Outcomes

The Hill Tarvit Farm visit provided meaningful employer engagement and supported the development of career awareness through real-world learning experiences.

Key outcomes included:

• Increased understanding of agriculture and food production.
• Greater awareness of career opportunities within the rural sector.
• Improved knowledge of sustainability and animal welfare practices.
• Enhanced understanding of the business aspects of modern farming.
• Stronger links between classroom learning and real-world employment.

An additional benefit of the experience was helping pupils recognise that farming requires a combination of technical knowledge, business management, communication and problem-solving skills. The visit encouraged learners to consider career pathways that they may not previously have explored while developing a greater appreciation for an industry that plays a significant role in Fife and Scotland.