AgForce is gearing up for a bigger and better Moo Baa Munch than ever before, with a record 1087 Queensland students locked in to learn about agriculture.
The free education event at Downlands College, Toowoomba, on October 25 and 26, takes the learning out of the classroom and promotes all sectors of agriculture, including beef, sheep, grains, production horticulture, poultry, dairy, and sugarcane.
Run by AgForce's School to Industry Partnership Program, it focuses on teaching youngsters where our food and fibre comes from, the importance agriculture plays in our everyday lives, and the diverse career opportunities available.
Demonstrations are tailored to a variety of age groups, with secondary students exploring possible career paths and covering units related to agriculture, food and fibre, geography, society, environment and science.
AgForce General President Georgie Somerset said showcasing farming to children was incredibly important.
"Whether students are studying agriculture or not, it is vital that young people gain exposure to important messages about food production," she said.
"Events like Moo Baa Munch do a fantastic job in making agriculture real for little people and bigger ones - providing the first opportunity for many children to see goats up close and to learn how vegetables are grown.
"It's also a chance for high school students to discover the amazing diversity of careers in modern agriculture - these days it isn't only about getting your hands dirty, technology in farming is proving to be a game changer.
"It's fantastic to know so many children will be engaging with agriculture and learning about one of the fastest growing industries in the country."
The primary school day is funded by the Australian Government's Educating Kids about Agriculture Initiative, and the secondary day by the Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training's Agribusiness Schools Engagement Program.
AgForce's SIPP Coordinator Tanya Nagle is looking forward to meeting schoolchildren from all over the Toowoomba region, as well as Dalby, Kingaroy, Warwick, Chinchilla, and Withcott.
"It's wonderful we are able to run the initiative again this year, and we thank DESBT, DAWE and Downlands College for stepping up and acknowledging the importance of showcasing agriculture to Queensland school students," she said.
"There is an incredible amount of support for our agricultural education program from industry, schools, teachers and students.
"With so many Australians describing their connection with agriculture as distant or non-existent, Moo Baa Munch has never been more relevant than it is now in connecting school students of all ages with agriculture."
AgForce has supported and managed school to industry engagement programs since 2004, with 100 per cent of funds going towards whole-of-agriculture education activities and services.
Media are invited to attend Moo Baa Munch - 25-26 October, Downlands College, Toowoomba.
