Kids To Farms Program Proves Popular

The Kids to Farms program, connecting school students with hands-on farm experience, has proved popular with pupils.

Georgia Campbell from NSW Farmers said Kids to Farms excursion funding had been an enormous success in the first two terms of 2022, with thousands of dollars granted under the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment program.

“We want children to understand why farming is important, so they understand food and fibre production and learn about where it comes from,” Ms Campbell said.

“These grants make the Kids to Farms program available to more schools across the state and will especially benefit smaller, regional schools.

“The Kids to Farms program is a federally-funded initiative delivered by NSW Farmers, and the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment has offered these grants for primary schools to fun a farm excursion.

The program is built on the ethos of ‘two by 12’ or two agricultural experiences by the age of 12, and so far, more than 650 students have benefited from the opportunity.

Ms Campbell encouraged teachers to look ahead to Terms 3 and 4, with grants of up to $1500 to subsidise costs to visit farms and agricultural sites.

Kids to Farms has a list of farms available to visit, or schools can arrange their own excursions and apply for funding from the program.

“We’re happy to help arrange an excursion, but schools can also externally arrange a farm visit and then apply for funding,” Ms Campbell said.

“If your school already has an agriculture-related excursion planned, why not see if your school is eligible for transport and tour subsidies?

“Teachers tell me their students get so much out of these excursions; you’d be silly not to apply.”

Visit www.kidstofarms.com.au or email kidstofarms@nswfarmers.org.au to learn more.

• Topics:

• Education
• Agriculture & Farming
• Grants / Funding