RHET Potato Project 2025

With the School Easter holidays upon us the RHET classroom potato projects across Perth and Kinross are well under way.

135 classes have been given the complete kit compost fertiliser and Rocket seed potatoes to grow a crop in the classroom/playground. ISJ Horticulture, garden suppliers of seed potatoes, in Almondbank, have sponsored the program. 

The pupils will manage the crop ensuring the growing plant gets plenty of water and sunshine. By the end of the summer term the class with the heaviest crop will be awarded a cup. Last year’s winner was Letham (Perth). Letham is desperately keen to retain the cup however competition is likely to be intense.

Tara Clark, RHET project co-ordinator has included lots of exciting learning and creative exercises stories about the potato and recipe ideas in the classroom schedule.   

Miriam Methven, ISJ Horticulture business manager, has great enthusiasm for the project and has again secured the sponsorship. She looks forward to judging the stories and recipes which will come flowing in.

John Marshall AKA “Potato Professor” has already visited 60 classes across the region stretching from Kinloch Rannoch, to Meigle and then Kinross with his mobile model farm and bags of props. The enthusiasm he has been greeted with is amazing which he feels will bode well for future industry participants in producing this incredible crop.

Further information:

Tara Clark RHET Perth & Kinross Project Co-ordinator, on 07342967600 or email perthkinross@rhet.org.uk  Royal Highland Education Trust website: www.rhet.org.uk

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.   RHET organises farm and estate visits for schools and also arranges classroom speakers who can explain the environmental, economic and social realities of living and working in the countryside.  RHET also produces free curriculum-linked resources, available free for teachers.

RHET PKCI – The Royal Highland Education Trust Perth and Kinross Countryside Initiative 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.