Revising the Curriculum for Conservation Farming
Weddin Landcare assisted Caragabal Public School to revise a unit of work to more effectively engage students and inspire future farmers with a balanced view of environmental challenges and farming solutions.
Capacity building - LEP23-005-Weddin-02_LLC_008
The issue
A local primary school studying the unit ‘Sustainable Management of Natural and Cultural Environments + Food and Fibre 3-6’ identified that the unit focused on urban vegetable growing and did not really address broadscale farming practices. The majority of the students at the school come from farming families, living on larger grazing or cropping properties in the wheat/sheep belt of NSW. Many of the messages about farming in the unit were quite negative and conventional, with very little insight to the challenges that farmers face and the positive steps that many are taking to address natural resource issues and improve production of our food and fibre.
The solution
The Principal of Caragabal Public School worked with Weddin Landcare to revise the pre-scribed unit to localise the content for Central West NSW, better reflect the advances in farming and provide a more positive outlook for our future farmers. Weddin Landcare provided links to a number of educational resources and videos and were involved in several practical sessions as well as an excursion to provide further insight into sustainable farming practices.
The impact
Students gained a rounded and practical view of modern sustainable farming. They learnt about the impacts of agriculture but also heard about new technologies and techniques that farmers are using to improve the management of the natural resources while remaining productive and profitable.
The revised unit was extended to other rural schools, demonstrating how collaboration between educational institutions and organisations like Landcare can enhance learning and promote positive environmental practices.
Three small schools attended the excursion, which was particularly powerful as it took students on a journey from the simplistic, self-sustaining farming lifestyle of the early 1900’s through the industrial revolution to today. Students visited local farms and learnt about how farmers are addressing both environmental and production issues, re-building soil health, improving groundcover management and maximising diversity. The children took part in some simple experiments in the paddock and got to see examples of multi-species cover crops, strategic grazing management, zero-till cropping and biodiversity plantings.
Key facts
- Weddin Landcare assisted Caragabal Public School to revise an outdated unit of work.
- Practical sessions, resources, and excursions provided students with insights into modern sustainable farming techniques.
- Future farmers were inspired and encouraged rather than shamed.