Update on the Schools on Farms program
18 December 2024 | Our education team is thrilled with the success of the Schools on Farms pilot program in the north of the state.
Lilydale District School students exploring what makes a landscape healthy, as part of the their Schools on Farms excursion.
In collaboration with Landcare member farms, Greenside Farm and Glenore Farm, classrooms were invited out into the paddocks to ask the question:
“What makes a landscape healthy?”
Answering this question requires students to understand the land they were on — from the smallest scale of microbiology and chemistry in the soil, to the living things they spotted in wildlife surveys, to the vastness they could see from high points as they made interpretive artworks.
During their time on the farms, students were introduced to agricultural practices that restore rather than degrade and are critical for future health and food security.
At the end of the day, students were astounded by the amount of life that a healthy farm can support! Many students from farming families reported back with excitement in finding ways that they can become landcarers on their own farms, and investigate their soils, waterways, and landscapes.
Farm managers took the time to show how they run a working farm while supporting their local ecosystems, with tours of revegetation projects, compost piles, and biochar kilns, as well as a peek at some friendly livestock. Students and teachers were treated to rare sights of raptors, frogs, bugs, and more who make their home in the farm landscape, many of which were vulnerable species in Tasmania.
Longford Primary School students busy creating works of art as part of their Schools on Farms excursion.
Follow-up workshops in classrooms demonstrated that young Tasmanians are keen on sustainability and healthy environments, and understand that this can extend to how we do agriculture.
The schools we worked with this year are excited to continue partnering with their local farms as classrooms, through the Schools on Farms program.
Is your school interested in participating in our Landcare Tasmania Education Program?
You can fill in a Schools expression of interest form here.
The Schools on Farms program is supported by donations from the JM Roberts Trust to the Tasmanian Landcare Fund.
