Riverina Farm Tours For Students
A farming tour is a great experience for primary and high school students. It gives them a chance to see where the food they eat and the clothes they wear each day come from. Students can learn a lot about the farming cycle, food production and the business of farming by visiting farms included in a tour package designed by Agricultural Tours Riverina.
Australia plays a huge role in supplying agricultural products to the rest of the world. Our Asian neighbours in particular are large consumers of Australian agricultural produce. By witnessing the scale of the farming activity in New South Wales’ Riverina region, students can begin to understand Australia’s global importance as a major food supplier. They may be able to participate in hands on activities on a farm.
Depending on the season, children can learn about the sowing process, irrigation, fertilisation and harvest. They’ll also learn about the livestock breeding season, feeding, watering and the processes used to harvest wool. They’ll be able to participate in hands-on activities on the farm. They will gain knowledge and experience performing the tasks that Riverina farmers do every day.
Figure 1: Senior Secondary Food Technology students visit the Riverina source of much of Sydney’s breakfast OJ.
The Riverina is famous for its rice, grape and orange production. The region also produces prunes, emus, Chinese jujubes and fish. Bigger farms produce other fruit, vegetables, wool, cotton and grains. If there’s something in particular you’d like your students to learn about, ask John Collins who will arrange for a bespoke tour of one of these farms.
We’ll discuss the technology used on farms during the tour. Everything from tractors to harvesters will be covered. We even talk about the satellite sensing technology that is commonly used by farmers to monitor their farms. It’s a great chance for kids to learn about science and technology.
Mathematics too, is covered in our bespoke farming tours. We pose common problems to children such as how much space to leave between trees and how many rows can fit in a field based on the available area. Students will develop their analytical skills as they complete activities set by the teacher.
Upon arrival, children will be instructed in biosecurity measures, and then about the safety of themselves and the animals on the farm. They’ll then learn about irrigation, application of pesticides and rules regarding pesticides as well as the process of sowing, fertilising and harvesting produce. On animal farms, nutrition will be talked about. So too will the process of harvesting meat and wool from animals.
Figure 2: A group of young Sydneysiders and their parents make friends with some hungry Galloway cows at Gleneagles Stud in the Riverina.
All our tours can be aligned with the NSW Stage 5 ‘Food Technology’ curriculum. All of our tour operators have a background in education too. Teachers will be able to hand out worksheets for the children to complete. Students’ knowledge will be improved by completing worksheets during the tour. Speak to our tour operators about what will be shown on the farm before creating the worksheets to ensure the questions are aligned with the activities completed during the tour.
Show your love for NSW by taking students to visit some of the Riverina’s farms. It’s an incredible experience they are sure to enjoy, and a journey that will teach them lots. You’ll meet wonderful people who love living and working in this beautiful state and who have lots to share!
Call John Collins today for a conversation about the needs of your school with regards to a bespoke farming tour in the Riverina region, NSW. We’ll be able to answer any questions and make a booking for you on the spot. Farmstays can be arranged.