Hundreds of children take part in potato project

Almost 2000 pupiles have taken part in a project growing and harvesting their own potatoes.

This year, over 60 classes from across Perth and Kinross took part in the Mr Jazzy Potato Project, which shows the children the gradually unfolding story of the spud and how food and farming are linked.

Top of the crops in the 2019 competition and winning the cup was the P2/3 class from Abernethy Primary School who won the ‘Heaviest Crop of Potatoes’.

The project is organised by the Perth & Kinross Countryside Initiative of the Royal Highland Educational Trust (RHET) and sponsored by WCF Horticulture. 

Miriam Doe, Seed Manager of WCF Horticulture, said:

"Jazzy is a premium salad variety which is making a big impact on the UK Potato Scene.  Jazzy is already a fun brand which has really engaged the children and they have particularly enjoyed the prolific nature of the variety. The Mr Jazzy Potato Project is fun and educational covering a range of learning outcomes very much hands-on and enjoy learning how to grow potatoes and how they fit into a healthy balanced diet."

The project is particularly popular with teachers. Mrs Thomson from Morrison's Academy said:

"The whole process, from the talk by your experts, to the harvesting of the crop of potatoes has been a marvellous vehicle for us to support the children’s learning across the entire curriculum.  From literacy, health and well-being to the STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and maths. We have covered them all."

The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) was established in 1999 to create the opportunity for every school pupil in Scotland to learn about food, farming and the countryside.  

The Royal Highland Education Trust Perth and Kinross Countryside Initiative (RHET PKCI) is a local charity set up 2003 as part of RHET. PKCI covers schools in Perth & Kinross Council and is run by a committee of volunteers from the local farming and education communities.

Visit the RHET website to find out more.