Nearly half of key stage 2 pupils think that margarine comes from cows. One way to dispel this ignorance is by organising a meeting between children and food in its original animal or vegetable state. One of the biggest open farms in southern England, Longdown Dairy Farm in Hampshire, has its own education adviser, Sharon Whitfield. She is also a part-time primary teacher, and her education packs and farm tours provide new experiences and challenges, from bottle-feding calves to investigating the milking parlour’s computer and researching agricultural economics and the science of nutrition. Visits to Longdown Dairy Farm, Ashurst, Southampton SO40 7EH, cost pound;3 per child. Group discounts are available, with free preliminary visits for teachers and group leaders. Call Catherine Vint on the helpline: 023 8029 332. Education pack costs pound;10 plus pound;1.25 pamp;p from the address above. Website: www.longdowndairyfarm.co.uk