PUTTING FARMERS IN THE CLASSROOM

This article first appeared in Coast and Country, August 2022

Putting farmers in the classroom Farmers are being asked to go back to school as a part of a new educational programme for children called Farmer Time.

The initiative links farmers with primary and intermediate school children through virtual classroom sessions using video call technology. Students regularly chat live with their matched farmer, gaining an understanding of farming across the seasons and getting real-world examples.

Beef + Lamb Inc CEO Kit Arkwright is keen to see food producers from all sectors get involved.

“Farmer Time puts actual farmers in front of children and gives them genuine insights into how our food is being produced.”

Marie Burke, a sheep and beef and crop farmer from Tairāwhiti/Gisborne region, took part in the pilot. She is paired with a school in Orewa, Auckland. “Th e teachers and children we’ve been matched with have loved learning about what we do.” Visit: www.farmertiformation can visit www.farmertime.co.nz