An initiative by Inagro and the Province of West Flanders
Agriculture is more than a sector; it is a living environment where knowledge, craftsmanship, innovation and community come together. With Met de klas de boer op, Inagro and the Province of West Flanders open that world to young learners. By inviting classes onto real farms, the initiative strengthens social and inclusive innovation: pupils of different ages, backgrounds and learning profiles discover agriculture in an authentic, sensory and accessible way. These visits create shared experiences that connect farmers, teachers and students, and make agriculture visible, understandable and relevant for the next generation.
Farm visits offer a learning context that cannot be replicated in a classroom. Pupils see how food is grown, meet the people behind their meals, and experience the rhythms and realities of agricultural life. The combination of sensory discovery – touching soil, observing plants, hearing machinery – and real-world context helps learners concretely understand complex topics.
Community voices across many farms
The strength of Met de klas de boer op lies in the diversity of farms that welcome classes. Each farm engages with innovation in its own way. Dairy farms such as Den Ijsbol show pupils how modern milk production works and how daily routines evolve alongside new techniques. Organic farms like ’t Goed ter Heule demonstrate how caring for soil, biodiversity and circular principles represents a forward-looking approach to agriculture. Horticultural businesses such as ’t Glazen Huis reveal how climate control, biological pest management and automated systems shape contemporary food production.
Across these farms, teachers consistently describe how quickly curiosity grows. One teacher visiting ’t Glazen Huis explained that the tour “perfectly matched the learning goals we needed to reach in class,” adding that pupils “pick up so much more because it is explained differently than in the classroom.” Pupils themselves emphasise how memorable the experience is. “I’ve already learned a lot, and it’s fun to be active,” one student said. Another noted that “seeing everything up close and doing things yourself makes it easier to remember.”
Farmers also share their perspective. At ’t Glazen Huis, Kaat and Filip see their role as reconnecting young people with agriculture. They explain that many families used to have direct ties to farming, but that connection has faded. “You feel that we are filling a gap,” they said. “We bring young people back into the greenhouse, onto the land or among the animals.” Their enthusiasm reflects a broader sentiment among farmers across West Flanders: opening their doors to schools is not only educational, but energising.
At ’t Goed ter Heule, farmer Justine sees how quickly pupils become motivated once they step onto the farm. Even those who arrive a bit hesitant – worried about mud, smells or dirty shoes – soon forget their initial reluctance. “You notice how fast they open up,” she says. “Once they start discovering things for themselves, their curiosity takes over.” She explains that many pupils are surprised by how engaging farm life can be. They ask questions, try things out and become genuinely invested in what they see. “It’s that spark we want to pass on,” Justine adds. “They don’t need to remember every detail. What matters is that they realise agriculture is real, relevant and important for our local economy and food supply.”
Her experience shows how a single visit can shift perspectives: pupils leave with more interest and a clearer sense of connection to the world behind their food.
Inclusive learning for every age group
Farm visits speak to pupils of all ages, but the learning experience naturally shifts depending on the group. Younger children discover agriculture through sensory exploration and simple, hands-on observations. For them, Inagro and the Province of West Flanders provide accessible tools such as mushroom and chicory growing kits, as well as a wide range of materials from the educational lending depot. These resources bring agriculture into the classroom and help teachers introduce food production in a playful and concrete way.
For older pupils, the potential is even greater. Many secondary schools are looking for ways to connect sustainability, food systems and technological innovation to real-world contexts. That is why Inagro and Vives developed a flexible learning package for pupils in the third grade of primary education and the first grade of secondary education. The package offers a structured journey in which pupils explore agricultural challenges, investigate real solutions and experience how innovation shapes modern farming. Combined with a farm visit, it provides a powerful anchor that makes abstract concepts tangible and relevant.
This expansion towards secondary education reflects a growing demand: schools want deeper, practice-based learning, and farms across West Flanders are eager to open their doors.
Building bridges through social and inclusive innovation
At its core, ‘Met de klas de boer op’ is about connection. The participating farms themselves are the driving force behind the initiative. Through authentic encounters on working farms, they create meaningful learning experiences that help young people understand where their food comes from and how agriculture contributes to society.
The role of Inagro is to support that potential and help it grow. Through advisory visits, training opportunities and practical tools, farms receive guidance to develop high-quality educational activities. The initiative also encourages networking and knowledge exchange between participating farms, creating a strong community where experiences, ideas and good practices are shared.
At the same time, schools are actively connected with the available offer through joint promotion, newsletters and educational communication. Financial support helps lower barriers for both new and experienced farms, making participation more accessible and sustainable.
This approach offers a model that can inspire other regions across Europe. By combining local entrepreneurship with targeted support, strong partnerships and community engagement, farm visits can become a powerful tool for social and inclusive innovation, benefiting farmers, schools and society alike.
More info:
Info for teachers: www.metdeklasdeboerop.be
Info for farmers: Advies landbouwverbreding | Inagro
