Taranaki Enviroschools’ Ag + Hort (agriculture and horticulture) programme is keen to inspire tamariki through on-farm learning experiences.
Farm demonstrations will take place at Dairy Trust Taranaki’s four research farms over the next couple of months covering different topics like soil health, reducing emissions and sustainable land use options.
Recently, the Enviroschools team took 50 students from Stratford Primary and Stratford High School on a field trip to Dairy Trust’s 51ha Stratford farm to learn all about nitrate leaching in pastoral farming.
Students and teachers were fascinated by a current farm trial which uses a technology called “Spikey” - a machine with spikes that hitches onto the back of a 4-wheeler or tractor and can detect urine patches in pastures. Spikey works by releasing a product on each patch of urine that inhibits nitrification.
Tamariki get an up close look at the Spikey machine,
Taranaki Regional Council Enviroschools Coordinator Lauree Jones attended the farm demonstration.
“We’re super excited about our Ag + Hort programme this year as we have so many cool projects lined up. Our trip to the Stratford farm was a great way to kick it all off. I think everyone, myself included, left the farm that day feeling positive about the future of farming.”
Dairy Trust General Manager of Operations Jason Rolfe emphasises the importance of the Trust’s mission to educate and ensure the future viability of farming in Taranaki.
“A key part of our business is providing opportunities for tamariki to visit our farms and learn about the trials we are running. Here at Dairy Trust Taranaki, growing the next generation of farmers, scientists and rural professionals is a key strategic goal of the Trust. The questions asked and ideas shared by the tamariki were fantastic and provided a different perspective that we often don’t hear enough from.”
In October Taranaki Enviroschools secured a grant of $44,100 through the LA Alexander Agricultural College Trust Board to give students from all over Taranaki the opportunity to learn first-hand about innovative farming practices.
Three more farm demonstrations and topics are scheduled for Enviroschools students at Dairy Trust’s other research farms:
- 21 March at Kavenaugh Farm: Net zero emissions
- 9 May at Gibson Farm: Reducing environmental impact
- 30 May at Waimate West: Regenerative farming practices
To learn more about how your school can become a Taranaki Enviroschool or if you’re already an Enviroschool and you’d like to sign up for one of the upcoming farm demonstrations, email lauree.jones@trc.govt.nz or visit www.trc.govt.nz/enviroschools-taranaki(external link).
About Taranaki Enviroschools
Taranaki Regional Council coordinates the Enviroschools programme in Taranaki, working alongside regional partners. At the start of 2023, 48 schools and 25 kindergartens in Taranaki participate in the Enviroschools programme. That's more than 9,000 students. The kaupapa of Enviroschools is about the well-being of the whole school, community and ecosystem. The aim is to foster a generation of young people who instinctively think and act sustainably.