Education

For education about sheep to be well given, the reality needs to be told, the communication done effectively, and with the manner and style suitable to an audience.

Of course, much can be learned by people about sheep through simply watching them, doing what they normally do, and where they normally are. But, it can be required that information about sheep be consciously conveyed and in a formal and formatted way and at a more customised and suited location. Cause of this can simply be that a usual place of sheep is not accessible to the public and/or is not appropriate for hosting the public - in any number. A major reason is that a provider wants an entity of information about sheep to meet requirements they hold. These can be: to have a managed public facility not amid farming activity; to present a decided and controlled ‘message’; to place a sheep information resource where ‘add-on’ income-earning facilities are able to be put.

Decisions on these matters influence to what extent, if any, compromises are made in ‘telling it like it is’ and in ensuring sheep’s maximum welfare and best way of living.

At the National Trust’s Wimpole Home Farm, lambing is a visitor feature. It is clear that sheep’s and lambs’ welfare is regarded as paramount. The objective is to give sight of these animals to visitors and to be very informative to visitors about the animals. The prime vehicle of information, giving considerable detail about sheep and their life year round, is a booklet, Lambing at Wimpole. It is indicated clearly that lambs go to slaughter, apart from those females which ‘show signs of good quality breeding potential’. 

At Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, as at Wimpole Home Farm, are rare breed sheep and other animals (Adam’s father, Joe, was a leader in saving and promoting rare breed animals). There is excellence to the provision for the animals. Information aplenty on sheep is supplied; around the Rare Breeds Through History Trail, though, the information pathway could be made more clear, plus the linkage between information on a panel and what animal is before the visitor could sometimes be rendered more directly obvious. Elsewhere on site is displayed information on the farming year. In the Park’s shop are Adam’s books, and other books, but, seemingly, no guidebook/souvenir publication on the Park. Visitors can buy food to feed to the animals. And in the Animal Barn, during a period of the year, there are twice-daily sessions for visitors to bottle feed lambs. 

City farms tend to constitute small, worthy of idea, admission free, endeavours, which are seeking to serve a local community, and whom have limited resources across the board. So, paucity is often displayed. In regards data, this likely lends to information about sheep and how they should be treated being insufficient in content or amount. Mudchute Park and Farm in east London sells food for visitors to feed animals.

A directly educational resource is the farm of Woodchurch high school, highlighted in a double-page photo spread in The Guardian earlier this year (9th January 2024). Pupils even show sheep.

It can be seen that educating about sheep requires that the information about sheep be true and accurate, and not at risk to accommodation due to provider need to attract an audience. It can be seen also that methods of conveying information do need to be as good as possible for engaging an audience’s interest. This is where the genie of entertainment can be let in. The judgement is what is acceptable in light of the aim to inform and educate, and what goes too far. 

 Rare breeds can be noted as featuring considerably in settings aiming to be educational, and at enterprises major and small. It can be questioned whether rare breed sheep are entirely chosen to be present due to their rarity and interest, or might it be that coming into play too is that rare breeds tend to be more visually-interesting and appealing than routine and ‘commercial’ sheep types?

Certain compromises may need to be made, towards the objective to reach an audience to inform it about sheep. But the existence of a ‘slippery slope’ should be recognised. Going too far to appeal, and sheep may be put at risk of some suffering, and truth and integrity may be starting to evaporate.