“Reinvigorating food and fibre education in Australia requires more than updated resources - it calls for long-term investment, collaboration, modern, inclusive and accessible resources that connect with teachers, students, and the Australian curriculum. The next generation of the Australian agriculture workforce is sitting in our classrooms around the country - we can connect them with agriculture if we work together.”

Aimee’s Nuffield Report has been published by Nuffield Australia. You can read more about her research on connecting food and fibre education for Australian primary school-aged students in the classroom and beyond.

Full Report: Connecting Food and Fibre Education
Presentation: 2024 Nuffield Australia Conference, Launceston, Tasmania
Audio Recording of Report: Read by Aimee Snowden with Beth Donaldson

And yes, we celebrated by building a Nuffield tractor! 

"There is a strong need for the reinvigorated delivery of food and fibre education that is modern, collaborative, inclusive, connected and showcases our industry."

We've just spent a wet couple of weeks in Tasmania for the Nuffield Australia Conference, tours and further exploring. Aimee presented her research on connected food and fibre education for Australian primary school students in the classroom and beyond as part of the conference (and getting everyone building). We'll let you know when her report is published by Nuffield Australia.

Wrapping up our travels with a visit to New Zealand's North Island for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final of Season 56!

Hosted in Hamilton by the Waikato & Bay of Plenty Regional Young Farmers, the event saw AgriKids, Junior Young Farmers, and Young Farmer of the Year contestants travel from seven regions across New Zealand to battle it out in a series of practical modules, exams, agri-quizzes, speeches, and more. 

A brilliant event building skills, knowledge, and a community of young farmers and agricultural professionals for today and tomorrow! 

The sun has set on the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

A great week of Scottish hospitality complete with bagpipes, haggis, and black pudding, complemented with international learning, sharing, and networking on agricultural shows and fairs including visiting the Royal Highland Show. 

#Throwback to Open Farm Sunday

Last Sunday was farming's annual open farm day with farms right across Britain open to the public. And we took the opportunity to visit a couple, and see the program in action! 

Just by chance we found ourselves close to the village of Nuffield in Oxfordshire. 

We took the opportunity to visit Nuffield Place, the home Lord and Lady Nuffield occupied for thirty years until their passing. It is now preserved by the National Trust as it was bequeathed to Nuffield College at Oxford. 

The home was a great insight into an entrepreneurial and philanthropic gentleman who invested deeply in not only the motor industry, including agriculture, but also education and medicine. And show continues to inspire today through those who study in the way he did, by travelling the world through Nuffield Farming Scholarships to advance agriculture at home and across the globe. 

Det bedster er ikke for godt
(Only the best is good enough)

We had a fascinating visit to LEGO House at the home of LEGO in Billund, Denmark. 

In taking a deep dive into the history of the LEGO Group as part of the experience, we were excited to learn that the Ferguson tractor was one of the first plastic products the company launched (before the LEGO brick). The tractor, available in three colours, pre-build or as a kit, was the best selling product in the 1950s and went on shape the company in many ways. 

LEGO and agriculture have been strong partners for a long time! 

It wouldn't be a visit to Ireland without a castle!

Johnstown Castle was set amongst the most beautiful gardens and lakes. The Estate is also home to the Irish Agricultural Museum, where we took the opportunity to learn more about the country's history. 

We've arrived in Ireland as we continue exploring immersive agriculture education and engagement models through a Nuffield Australia Scholarship. 

Yesterday, we joined the Lidl Farm-to-Fork Experience with Agri Aware at the Newbridge Distribution Centre. The free school excursion allows primary school students to explore farm to fork across an 8 acre farm, before heading on a tour of the supermarket's warehouse.