LEAF has appointed Carl Edwards to the newly-created role of 'director of education and public engagement' following its merger with the Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) charity.
Carl Edwards, who was previously faculty leader for humanities at Ibstock Community College in Leicestershire, has been selected for the position. He joins the organisation as Dan Corlett steps down asFACE’s chief executive to pursue a new career following the merger.
In the new role Edwards will 'plan, lead and execute LEAF’s ambitious education and public engagement strategy' and try to 'drive forward public understanding and demand for more sustainable food and farming,' LEAF reported in a press release.
Commenting on his appointment, Edwards said: 'The future viability of UK farming relies on consumers, children and young people trusting and respecting what farming delivers. We must open their eyes to the whole industry of agriculture, what it delivers and how it impacts on every aspect of our daily lives.
“LEAF is already leading the way in this sector and its recent merger with FACE, building on all their work in bringing agriculture into schools, represents a powerful force for change.I am greatly looking forward to working with the LEAF team at this hugely exciting time.”
LEAF’s chief executive, Caroline Drummond, added: “Strengthening the connections between the public and agriculture has been key to LEAF’s work for more than 25 years, and it is now more important than ever. As we consolidate our activities with FACE, we are looking to create systemic changes in education and public engagement provision in farming.
“The combined strengths of our organisations pave the way to drive forward a collaborative approach within the food and farming industry for better public engagement and education for all.”
Edwards’ appointment comes ahead of the second LEAF Education and Public Engagement Conference, which takes place on Wednesday 20 September.
The conference – which brings together politicians, policy makers, educationalists, health practitioners, farmers and conservationists – will explore the trend of teenagers being disconnected from the natural world and look at ways of engaging them with farming, food and the environment.
It is free to attend and will take place in London at The Auditorium, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, Holborn. To book your place, emailevents@leafuk.org.
