A national conference on agriculture and education will be held in Launceston in January, bringing national and international experts to investigate the future of farming and learning.
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Hosted by the Tasmanian Agricultural Education Network, the National Association of Agricultural Educators 2018 conference will look at ways to strengthen ties between classrooms and agriculture.
Lead agriculture teacher Andrew Harris, working from Hagley Farm School, said the four-day conference brought together some in-depth programs and diverse stakeholders working in and around Tasmania’s agricultural education.
He said having network president John Lehman named vice president of the association meant Tasmania’s bid for the biannual conference had plenty of support.
Yolla-based agricultural education expert John Lehman said the conference would show schools and industry how agriculture can be incorporated into classrooms.
“Every child (and every teacher) in every classroom has an intimate relationship with agriculture through the food they eat, the clothes they wear and the pharmaceuticals they use,” he said.
“Recent developments in technology offer an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the production and processing systems and the career pathways on offer in this exciting, diverse and innovative sector.”
Supported by the state government and the University of Tasmania, the conference will welcome keynote speakers including Tim Gentle from Think Digital on using digital technologies to bring agriculture into the classroom.
A dinner midway through the conference will also feature trend forecaster Michael McQueen, discussing five major changes to education in recent decades, three key trends shaping education for the future, and strategies for students learning.
Workshops on innovation in education, raising edible snails, technology in livestock, forestry education and successful lobbying for agricultural future, and overseas programs will all be held over the four days.
Mr Harris said Tasmania’s education system has a “very strong focus on food and fibre,” with multiple programs underway to keep students engaged with hands-on awareness of the source of their food.
The 2018 conference will be held at the Tramsheds, Launceston, from January 7 to 11.
