All our programs are either tailored to support relevant units within the Australian curriculum, or as specifically requested by our clients.
Our “Paddock to Plate” programs for years 3-6 have been specifically developed for this age group, and for a variety of learning abilities. Through our “Paddock to Plate” excursion, students gain a basic understanding and awareness of where their food comes through an exploration of working farms and food processing/storage facilities (excursions) or an exciting and interactive PPP (incursions). This experience can be delivered to complement the following units or modules within Geography:
Supporting local farmers is imperative to maintaining food security within Australia. They are the ones who supply fresh produce to our supermarket shelves and ultimately to our dinner plates. This does not make them exempt from social change. Buyers are opting for cheaper overseas products; the commercialisation of milk and other products is driving profits down; and biosecurity threats such as white spot disease are percolating through production chains. There has never been a better and more pressing time to teach students about where their food comes from. Primary teachers choosing to undertake one of our field-based “Paddock to Plate” excursions have the option of an ‘Experiential’ field trip (usually Grades K/P-4) or a ‘Work-booklet’ based field trip (usually grades 5-6/7). Experiential field trips are less structured than work-booklet-based field trips and allow flexibility to follow the specific interests of a group. Work-booklet-based field trips allow for a methodical and structured investigation of food production in Australia. Our “Paddock to Plate” incursion option allows students who are unable to participate in a field trip (e.g. due to finances, proximity to farms, behaviour issues, etc.) to gain a basic understanding of where their food comes from through a well-designed in-class presentation.
Excursions
Incursions
Below is an example itinerary for a 1-day “Paddock to Plate” excursion. All excursions packages include the necessary work booklets and equipment.
08:00 | Tour group pick- Second Nature have a fleet of vehicles available to cater for any number of passengers (within reason). We can provide transport to and from schools and airports |
08:30 | Arrive at a Fruit Farm for Activity session 1 During this activity, students will tour the farm whilst speaking with the farmer to learn about how the relevant fruit (e.g. pineapple, avocado, strawberries, etc.) is grown, harvested, processed and stored. They will hear about the costs and challenges of distributing the fruit to consumers. |
09:30 | Morning tea at the Fruit Farm. Students will have the chance to taste some of the locally grown fruit! |
09:45 | Depart Fruit Farm for a Cattle Farm. |
10:00 | Arrive at the Cattle Farm Activity Session 2 Students will be taken on a guided walk of the farm, during which the daily tasks of cattle farmers will be pointed out to them. Students may be asked to help with a simple task as part of this activity (e.g. filling food stalls, etc.). They will once again interview the farmer about the process and challenges of producing their product/s. |
11:00 | Depart Cattle Farm for a Leafy Greens Farm |
11:15 | Arrive at the Leafy Greens Farm for lunch There will be great areas to take a break and enjoy panoramic views of the farming region. |
12:15 | Activity Session 3 The students will set off on another farm tour, this time looking at the unique infrastructure the farmer has developed for processes such as potting and irrigation. Students will learn about integrated pest management solutions and organic methods of food production at this site. |
13:15 | Depart Leafy Greens Farm for a Dairy Farm |
13:30 | Arrive at Dairy Farm for Activity Session 4 After touring the farm and interviewing the farmer for comparison with other sites, students will have the unique opportunity to milk a cow! They may also get to feed the nearby goats while they wait for their turn. |
14:30 | Depart Dairy Farm, back to school or airport |
15:00 | Arrive back at institution or airport when required |