A REPLICA of an African farmyard helped visiting Orleton primary school understand more about sustainable farming techniques and raise their awareness of global poverty.

The children were able to experience a little bit of African culture cultivated at the Shortwood Organic Farm, Pencombe, to show how food is grown in other countries.

The project, funded by the Department for International Development, has been set up by the Send a Cow charity which works to improve the lives of families in developing countries through sustainable agricultural programmes.

The farmyard has a traditional African cow shelter with resting and exercise areas and keyhole and bag gardens to show how vegetables are grown organically using homemade compost.

The project has been designed to bring life for African families into the heart of learning and help children gain new gardening skills and practical knowledge direct from another country.