News/

Kids to Farms project back on the road in Mackay and Northern Queensland regions

30 October 2022

Another seven schools across North Queensland are going to receive the Kids to Farms experience in the coming weeks with the roadshow heading north to schools between Mount Molloy (north of Mareeba) and Ingham

The Educating Kids about Agriculture program (Kids to Farms) aims to increase primary school students' understanding of where and how their food and fibre are produced and the importance of agriculture to Australia's way of life and to regional communities.

Kids to Farms is co-delivered by CQUniversity Australia in collaboration with the AgForce Schools to Industry Partnership Program and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture' Water and the Environment.

CQUniversity Research Fellow and leader of the Agricultural Education and Extension Cluster Dr Amy Cosby said it was exciting for the team to be back out in classrooms delivering the Kids to Farms program.

"It's going to be really fun and educational plus it's a great opportunity for students and their teachers to see firsthand how science and technology are playing a crucial role in developing better agricultural outcomes'" she said.

"We aren't just going to the big regional cities' we are taking Kids to Farms to students in smaller schools so that they can get the same experiences too."

This round of the Kids to Farms Roadshow will visit the following schools:

  • Mutchilba State School' Mutchilba
  • Mount Molloy State School' Mt Molloy
  • McDonnell Creek State School' Fishery Falls
  • Flying Fish Point State School' Flying Fish Point
  • St. Peter's Catholic School' Halifax
  • Toobanna State School' Toobanna
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School' Ingham

CQUniversity research officer Dr Nikki Kelly is leading the delivery of the sessions which start with an interactive classroom activity before the class heads out to visit a local farm.

"We have designed a range of activities aimed to not only show students how science and technology are used in agriculture but to help them realise the exciting opportunities and careers that are available in the ag industry.

"The other important part of the Kids to Farms schedule is taking the students to a local farm to meet a farmer and learn about their operation.

"The connections these visits foster continue long after the roadshow leaves town."