Summerhouse Community Farm in Lancaster hosted its first school visit this week where children got to explore wildlife habitats and learn about eco-systems.
Year 3 pupils from Heysham Mossgate Primary School visited Summerhouse Community Farm in Ashton Road on June 2, and were taken on a tour of the three acre site.
Olivia Grundy, from ReWilding Roots Children’s Charity – which supports schools to improve their grounds for wildlife and growing food – hosted the visit.
She said: “Together we walked around the site, identifying some of the flora and fauna, such as the elderflower, cow parsley, crab apple trees and dog roses.
“The children loved the views over the canal and the river, as well as seeing the sheep and the horses in the adjacent field.
“Towards the end of the trip, I gave them an opportunity to share some of their dreams and visions for how they would like the farm to develop.
“Many of them said they would really like to return to learn more about growing crops; they were especially keen to harvest some!
“They also suggested great ways to develop the site for children.
“Ideas included creating a nature trail, installing educational posters, and building bug hotels to support the minibeasts.”
Summerhouse Community Farm was purchased by Lancaster Community Interest Company LESS in 2025 as part of a wider FoodFutures strategy to see more land put into community ownership for sustainable agriculture, education and growing healthy soils and sustainable food for local residents.
A recent Crowdfunder campaign raised more than £30,000 to help build the site, which is currently permanent pasture but will be transformed into a productive community farm with a market garden, orchards, agroforestry and wildlife habitats.
Sam Frankland, Year 3 teacher at Heysham Mossgate Primary School said: “We are incredibly proud that our Year 3 children have been chosen to take part in this exciting biodiversity project at Summer House Farm.
“The children showed great curiosity and enthusiasm whilst exploring habitats and learning about living things through hands-on outdoor experiences.
“Throughout the year, they will return to the farm to observe how habitats and eco-systems change over time and further develop their scientific enquiry skills through other exciting activities.
“We are very grateful to Summerhouse Farm for providing such a valuable learning opportunity.”
