AN educational farm to teach kids where their food comes has been set up on the Dengie.

Muddy Boots Farm in Burnham has been started by Katie Anderson.

The farm in Ferry Road gives youngsters a hands on experience with farmyard animals including chickens, pigs and goats.

Katie, 25, was inspired to set up the farm after research on her degree dissertation at University Centre Southend showed children were increasingly unaware of where their food comes from.

She said: “My dissertation focussed on outdoor learning and how children are losing touch with nature and the outdoors and I wanted to make a change.

“Children don’t know where their food comes from or how to be sustainable and I really wanted to promote that in schools and privately, so that is what Muddy Boots Farm is all about.

“It is about learning, but learning in a fun and hands-on way.”

The working farm sees Katie sell meat and eggs, and rescue animals.

She runs activities for youngsters aged five to 12 where they can get a hands on experience collecting eggs, mucking out the pigs and walking the goats.

“While they are doing that they are constantly learning about where their food comes from, how to look after animals, how to work as a group, how to work with different aged children,” she said.

“There is so much that they can pick up from here. It gives children a real confidence boost and makes them want to be outside.”

Katie came across the piece of land while working for Creeksea Place Farm, where she is now a business manager.

She said: “When they had some land come up for rent, I approached them and asked them if I could run my forest school from there.

“They are completely behind me and are the best bosses that I have ever had.”

The grand opening of Muddy Boots takes place today.

Visit www.muddybootsfarm.com.