The East Devon National Landscape team is supporting local farmers looking to diversify their businesses and confidently open their gates to the public.

Through funding secured via the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme, a bespoke three-day CEVAS (Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme) training course is being made available to local farmers and land managers. With the FiPL grant covering 80% of the course fees, we are able to offer this accredited training for just £100 for each farm.

Connecting communities with local food and farming

Now, more than ever, there is a growing need to connect people with the landscape and help them understand exactly where their food comes from. Hosting farm visits provides a powerful opportunity to bridge the gap between rural businesses and the wider public. By opening farm gates, school children and local residents can see sustainable food production, high animal welfare standards, and the vital work farmers do to care for the environment.

Helping locals understand the story behind their food builds long-term support for the agricultural community, inspires the next generation, and creates a deeper appreciation for our working landscapes.

Supporting farm diversification and environmental funding

The course also arrives at an important time for the agricultural sector as businesses look to new environmental and educational funding streams. Under current Countryside Stewardship options, farmers can claim a payment of £363 per farm visit.

Because this funding covers the host’s time and operational costs, many accredited farmers choose to offer their visits free of charge to schools and community groups. This removes financial barriers for local groups while creating a reliable, guaranteed income stream for the farm.

Whether you are looking to welcome schoolchildren, local community groups, or paying members of the public, the CEVAS qualification is widely regarded as the national gold standard for high-quality, safe farm diversification.

What the course covers:

The tailored three-day scheme is designed to address the practical and legal aspects of hosting public events on working farms. The accredited curriculum focuses on:

• Safety and risk management: Practical guidance on handling on-farm health and safety, managing groups, and preparing robust risk assessments.
• Educational integration: How to successfully map daily farming routines—from food production to wildlife conservation—directly into school curriculum topics.
• Communication skills: Best practice for sharing your farm’s unique story with diverse audiences, including young children and community groups.

How to apply

Places on this bespoke course are limited. The East Devon National Landscape team is prioritising applications from farmers and land managers operating inside the designated National Landscape boundary.

However, if you are located just outside the boundary, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. If all spaces are not filled by internal applicants, remaining slots will be offered to those close by.

Course date and location are to be confirmed but likely to take place in late 2026/early 2027.

To register your interest or to find out more about upcoming dates, please contact Steph Aburrow.