North West
The North West is an area of great contrast, from the predominantly dairy farming county of Cheshire, arable and horticulture in Southwest Lancashire to the beef and sheep farming in the upland areas of North Lancashire and Cumbria.Covering an area of over 14,000 square km, of which almost 80% is considered rural and there are approximately 17,400 main agricultural holdings in the North West. More than 60% of these are classed as cattle, sheep and dairy holdings which - much higher than the national average. The agricultural sector of the North West has over 22,000 farm businesses employing around 40,000 people. The food and drink chain in the North West is a major employer, employing some 370,000 people. The combined contribution of agricultural and food sectors to the region’s economy is £9.5 billion per year.
There are many opportunities for schools to learn about food and farming in the West Midlands in the visits, growing, cooking and events sections.
Latest News from the North West