Be clear about your costs including your time, your staff's time and the use of resources and facilities on site.
Decide if you are offering school visits as an activity that supports and enhances other aspects of your farm business and its values or if you intend to make a profit from the visits.
Remember that a school which is paying for a visit might have different expectations from one which is coming free of charge.
If you are going to charge, think if you can offer an incentive such as discounts for larger groups or multiple bookings.
If you don’t want to charge for the whole visit, consider charging only for extra activities such as workshops or cooking activities.
Consider the benefit of increased footfall to other aspects of your farm business such as a farm shop, pick-your-own or cafe.
Check whether you need to make any amendments to your insurance cover – schools will need a copy of your public liability insurance certificate.
Set targets in terms of how many visits you hope to achieve and, if charging, what income they may generate.
How else can you get funding?
Some national charities support environmental and education schemes. The Directory of Social Change has information on grant-making trusts for capital projects.
Your local Agricultural Society, or other local charities, may have funds for farming/countryside and education initiatives.
Local or national companies may help with sponsorship and/or volunteers.
