Sustainable Farming Fund backs web-based education resource

Sustainable Farming Fund backs web-based education on plant nutrients

Federated Farmers says a web-based education resource, to educate students on the value of plant nutrients will help the next generation of New Zealanders understand how agriculture systems work.

The Sustainable Farming Fund has just announced $93,000 funding to develop the resource for students in years 5 – 8.

Federated Farmers Education spokesperson, Rick Powdrell says nutrients often get bad press.

“School students are entitled to know the full picture. Getting young New Zealanders to understand the positive role nutrients play in plant growth and food production, and the relationship between food production and environmental protection, is important for the whole agricultural sector.”

“The fact that its web based, and not restricted to books and blackboards, will add to its attraction to both students and teachers,” he says.

“The aim is to provide balanced and accurate information to teachers on the role of nutrients in food production. This project is a great step forward in getting youngsters on our side, helping them understand what we do and why.”

Rick Powdrell says he hopes more promotion of sciences, which are applicable to pastoral industries, will attract students to agriculture careers.

“What a student studies largely determines what career path they will go down, and we need more scientists and rural professionals to support the primary industry.”

The project; ‘Plants, Soil and Society - A Core Curriculum Digital Education Resource’, will be developed by the Fertiliser Quality Council.

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