Invercargill student Aimee Paterson isn’t one to shy away from a challenge – especially if it involves agriculture.

The 16-year-old has helped spearhead a food-focused educational project at Southland Girls’ High School.

Aimee’s one of a handful of TeenAg members who teamed up with teachers to teach Year 7 students about farming.

The initiative saw 160 girls visit two farms to learn how science is driving gains in meat and milk production.

Students touch the wool on a sheep. Photo: supplied

“It’s been such an eye-opening experience. A number of the younger students didn’t realise the skill involved in producing food and fibre,” said Aimee.

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Students spent mornings in the classroom being taught theory, then got hands-on, practical experience after lunch.

Tasting milk at Farm Fresh South. Photo: supplied

They helped draft sheep on Nigel King’s farm near Invercargill and watched as Aimee Paterson crutched a lamb.

“Nigel was extremely supportive and inspiring. He said me crutching a sheep showed that girls can do anything,” she said.

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“He told us the agri-food sector is full of opportunities and encouraged us to pursue careers in the primary industries.”

One group of pupils visited Farm Fresh South, which sells raw milk from a small herd of cows.

“The trip enabled the girls to see the grass to glass process of milk production,” said Aimee.

Aimee Paterson crutches a sheep. Photo: supplied

“They had so many questions after going into the paddock to see the herd, touring the milking shed and sampling the milk.”

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“One of the girls even put the farmer on the spot and asked what happens when bulls and cows mate,” she laughed.

The visit was part of a major national project putting Years 6-8 students onto farms.

The education programme is funded by the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) and delivered by NZ Young Farmers (NZYF).

Students help draft sheep. Photo: supplied

“It’s designed to get the primary industries on the radar of students, so they’re aware of the career opportunities,” said NZYF territory manager Amber Mitchell.

For a number of the students it was their first time visiting a farm.

The field trips are already having a positive follow-on effect for the school’s active TeenAg club.

Students get up close with a friendly cow at Farm Fresh South Milk. Photo: supplied

“We’ve gained a lot of new members as a result of the programme being taught at our school,” said Aimee.

“After each farm visit Year 7 students would ask how they could sign up to the TeenAg club, which is awesome.”

“I have a farming background and I’d love to see the Bigger and Better unit taught in more schools,” she said.

Teachers can download free agri-food related teaching resources from the Agrication website.

Agri-food Project Gets 160 Invercargill Students Onto Southland Farms

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