Teachers and principals are being urged to book free classroom experiences early for the final term of the incredibly popular Kids to Farms program.
The program, funded by the Australian Government, aims to give children an understanding of where their food and clothing comes from by bridging the divide between classrooms and farms.
NSW Farmers Project Manager Georgia Campbell said 5405 students from 84 schools across the state had been through the program over the past two years, and Term 2 was their last chance to get involved.
“We know a shocking number of people have no idea where their food comes from,” Ms Campbell said.
“In an age where cost of living and global food insecurity are rising, it’s critical we teach the next generation that farmers grow the food and fibre that feeds and clothes everyone.
“Given 59 per cent of students learn about food and fibre production from their teachers, it’s important we support them in teaching students about the agricultural industry.”
According to a 2022 study by CQUniversity, four in five primary students and three in five secondary students believed commercial milking of dairy cows occurred by hand. And a 2020 study by the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia, a third of young people aged 12 to 19 didn’t know yoghurt was an animal product and just under two thirds didn’t know cotton was derived from a plant.
Ms Campbell said there were huge advances in agricultural technology that were creating many opportunities for future careers, and with an ever-growing number of hungry mouths to feed, farming would always be a vital industry.
“The world’s population is expected to increase by nearly 2 billion people over the next few decades and every last one of them will need food – that’s why it’s so important we invest in teaching young people about farming from an early age,” Ms Campbell said.
“A few decades ago most people had a connection to farming, but now our younger generations are less exposed to this vital aspect of Australia’s social and economic fabric.
“NSW Farmers is proud to have played a key role in delivering these opportunities to schools, and we want as many students to get the benefit of this program as possible.”
For more details on Kids to Farms visit www.kidstofarms.com.au or email [email protected] to register your interest.
