YPO Gala Dinner in aid of Farms for City Children
Raising for Farms for City Children
Event dates: –
Every leader begins with a moment of connection — with themselves, others, or the world around them. At Farms for City Children, we create those moments for children and young people aged 8–19 from underserved communities, many of whom have never visited a natural environment.
"I feel human. Usually I feel neutral. Bored. But here I feel human. I feel set free." — Joshua, Year 7 Pupil, June 2025
The charity was founded in 1976 by Lady Clare and Sir Michael Morpurgo, who both grew up with formative experiences in nature that shaped the adults they became. They believed every child, no matter their background, should have the chance to experience the freedom, wonder, and learning that comes from being immersed in the natural world.
Today, our five-day residentials on working heritage farms in Devon, Gloucestershire, and Pembrokeshire are immersive, structured, and deeply nurturing. Children don’t just observe — they become farmers for a week. They take on meaningful responsibility—feeding livestock, growing and cooking their own produce, and
exploring the natural environment through biodiversity walks, beekeeping, and habitat discovery.
Our young farmers learn empathy, resilience, and responsibility while connecting with their peers and teachers in ways rarely possible in daily life. Away from screens, home, and the classroom, these experiences allow children to reconnect with themselves — a physical reset, a digital detox, and a mental recalibration.
Like you, we believe leadership starts with empathy and grows through experience. Just as YPO nurtures future leaders, our programme helps young people develop the skills, confidence, and agency to flourish as compassionate, conscious individuals — connected to the world around them and empowered to safeguard our planet’s future.
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About us
Farms for City Children
Charity number: 325120
Our immersive farm residentials for children and young people offer a transformative experience, with rewards that last long after they have returned home. During a five-day school or group visit to one of our stunning farms in Devon, Gloucestershire or Pembrokeshire, children and young people thrive. Our holistic programme enhances learning, nurtures wellbeing and builds transferable skills as our young farmers grow lasting connections with food, farming and each other.
We are a registered charity and believe every young person, regardless of background, deserves an opportunity to take home the wealth of benefits of being farmers for a week.
